Your Asthma And Other Rooms

 

Like the bedroom, the living room is a major allergen reservoir, with upholstered furniture and carpeting acting as dust and allergen magnets. See the previous sections on carpeting and furniture for helpful cleaning tips.

 

The living room may also have a fireplace, which produces products of combustion, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and gobs of particulate matter. If you have a fireplace or wood stove, make certain there is adequate ventilation and that the units are maintained regularly. Use only aged, cured wood and never burn pressure-treated wood. If you have a gas fireplace, you still have to open the flue during use. Besides being fire hazards, dirty flues and chimneys are a major source of gaseous and particulate air pollution. Even worse, a poorly maintained flue or chimney can cause deadly levels of carbon monoxide to accumulate in your home. Make sure your chimney and flue are cleaned regularly and follow all maintenance instructions.

 

The same advice applies to kerosene and other types of space heaters. When using a space heater, always follow the manufacturer's directions, use only the recommended fuel, and keep the room's door slightly ajar and windows cracked open to insure adequate ventilation.

 

 

The dining room is often a victim of circumstance, given its proximity to the kitchen with its high concentration of cooking odors and combustion products. Ventilating your kitchen goes a long way toward keeping your dining room asthma-friendly. With the exception of carpeting and upholstered furniture, there is little in most dining rooms that can trigger an asthma attack. Beware, however, of floral or fragrant table arrangements that may cause trouble, especially during holidays.

 

 

I don't need to tell you that neatness and childhood often don't mix. However, if you or your child has asthma, it is important that your child's room stays as clean as the rest of the house. Even if your children don't have asthma, you should still encase and regularly wash their bedding to control dust mites. Every now and then, check under your child's bed for dust balls, and do a quick search for unauthorized pets. Be aware that your older children's scented grooming products may also aggravate your asthma.

 

 

In addition to heeding the warnings about carpeting and upholstered furniture, be aware that the den is often the site of potentially toxic hobby supplies. Airplane glue, solvents, paints, and plastics can trigger an asthma attack. Carefully consider what you do in the den with special attention to your hobbies. If you discover that you own potentially noxious hobby or craft supplies, treat these products just like cleaning agents: immediately exile them outdoors, and gradually reintroduce them to your home, meticulously recording associated symptoms.

 

 

Most garages are packed with potentially toxic substances, such as pesticides, fertilizers, cleaning supplies, oil and gasoline, paint cans, and cat-litter boxes. Ideally, this toxic material is best stored in a ventilated outdoor storage shed, with the garage being the storage site of last resort. Look for chemicals, cleaners, and gardening supplies you no longer use and get rid of them. (Check with your local health department for the proper disposal of these items.)

 

Also, don't let your car idle in the garage, as exhaust fumes can find their way into your home. Finally, make sure your car's ventilation ducts and air conditioner are regularly maintained with frequent filter replacement, since asthma may be exacerbated by a contaminated air-conditioning system.

 

 

The attic, basement, and crawlspaces are the places where we store—and forget about—all sorts of items, such as chemicals, cans of paint, and old clothing. Mothballs and moth repellent are additional potent triggers that can aggravate asthma. Keep the humidity of these spaces under 50 percent, periodically check for mold and mildew, and try to keep dust to a minimum. While examining your attic, you may be surprised to learn that birds and other critters have taken up residence under your roof. While small mammals need a place to live, the home of an asthmatic should not be one of them. Birds and rodents bring in or "drop" feces, feathers, and dirt that may irritate your lungs. So, give your furry, feathered friends a gentle "heave-ho" back to nature where they belong.