More Than Just Sniffles: Is Your Home Making Your Kids Sick?

The kids are back to school, the leaves are changing color, and the temperatures are slowly dropping. That can only mean one thing: it's officially flu season. But it may not be the flu virus that's making your kids sniffle and sneeze around the house.

In fact, there are many triggers around the average home that can bring on allergies and asthma attacks. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to eliminate your child's wheezes and sneezes and ensure a healthy, comfortable environment inside your home this fall.

Have your home inspected if you're planning to move

Approximately 11% of the U.S. population moved to new homes in 2017 alone, and 70% of homeowners say a home inspection helped them avoid potential problems.

The last thing you want to deal with when you move into a new house is a mold issue that could affect your family's health. If you plan to move this fall, be sure that you're not cutting costs on home inspections prior to moving in.

Remember to deep clean more than just your flooring

It's no secret that allergens, dirt, stains, and odors build up in carpets over time, which is why it's so important to have them professionally cleaned at least once a year. But your home's carpet flooring isn't the only thing that needs a deep cleaning.

Experts recommend having your upholstery professionally cleaned once a year, too, to prevent a build-up of dust and allergens in the upholstery's fibers. If your furniture has a slipcover, be sure to remove it and wash it regularly to remove dirt and dust.

Give your air ducts a seasonal scrub-down

When it comes to saving on your utility bills, you may be focused on investing in Energy Star appliances or low flush toilets that use only 1.3 gallons per flush. But you can actually save on your utility bills and improve your home's air quality just by cleaning your air ducts.

Air duct cleaning is often a part of your seasonal HVAC maintenance. When your air ducts are filled with dust and debris, it can cause your HVAC system to work harder. This shortens the lifespan of your HVAC system and unnecessarily increases your energy bill.

Dirty air ducts also cause your HVAC system to blow allergens, dust, and dirt into the air around your home. Poor indoor air quality can cause more than just a stuffy nose. It can also cause respiratory infections.

That said, make sure that you're making air duct cleaning a major part of your home's HVAC maintenance this fall.

Sometimes your kids have sniffles and sneezes that they didn't get from school. By following the tips above, you can make sure your home is an allergy-free zone and the cozy, comfortable safe-haven it's meant to be.

(Guest Post)