Fall into clean air not allergies

Nov. 14, 2007

With seasonal allergies becoming commonplace across the country, don’t be caught this fall with the runny nose, itchy eyes or nasal congestion that plagued you last year.
“Breathing clean air may be the best solution for allergies,” said Jason Austin, of Aire Serv of Northwest Michigan. “More than 50 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, making it especially important to take appropriate precautions inside your home.”
From late August through October, at least one in five Americans will have immune system overreactions to irritants in the environment, and with this year’s weather being unseasonably warm, chances are you’ll still be having allergic reactions right into early December. This is why it is important to stay informed on ways to reduce the chances of being exposed to irritants both indoors and outdoors.

Follow these simple tips by Aire Serv to reduce the amount of pollutants inside your home:
• Keep your home and car windows closed.
• Vacuum and dust regularly; and don’t forget to check your ceiling fan blades to see how much dust is being distributed through the air.
• Change air filters on your heating and cooling equipment often - most manufacturers recommend once a month depending on dust levels.
• Clean humidifiers and AC units - dirty units create a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.
• Reduce the use of products like aerosol, room deodorizer, perfumes, and household cleaning products.

And try these precautionary measures to help you avoid allergies:
• Stay inside during peak pollen times, usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Monitor local pollen counts and stay indoors as much as possible when pollen counts are high.
• Stay indoors when humidity is high, and on days with high wind, when dust and pollen are more likely to be in the air.

If allergy symptoms are particularly troublesome, talk to your doctor to find out about treatment options available both over-the-counter and by prescription. When you do what you can to alleviate the frustration of fall allergies, you can get back out there and enjoy all that the great Northern Michigan seasons have to offer.

Aire Serv is a global franchise organization providing installation, maintenance and repair of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and indoor air quality systems. For further information or to find the location nearest you, visit www.aireserv.com.