Home Is Where the Health Is - HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric

Tips To Help Keep Your Humidifier Clean

A humidifier can be used safely if you follow all the manufacturer's directions. Empty the water reservoir between uses. Don't simply add water to what's already there. Clean the unit regularly with a brush or scrubber, and watch for buildup on the motor and the sides of the tank. Use distilled water in your humidifier instead of water from the tap and replace any worn parts as needed.

To reduce the possibility of health hazards from dirty room humidifiers, the staff of the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that you take the following precautions:

•     Do not allow film and scale to develop in your humidifier. Change the water in your room humidifier daily. Empty the tank before you fill it.
•     Use distilled or demineralized water in your room humidifier to reduce the buildup of scale and the release of dust. Do not use tap water because it contains more minerals.
•     Use demineralization cartridges or filters if supplied or recommended for use with your humidifier.
•     Drain and clean the tank of your room humidifier before you store it. Clean it after summer storage. Remove dust on the outside of your unit.
•     Clean your room humidifier well and often during the heating season.
•     Maintain the relative humidity in your home between 30% and 50% if possible. Humidity levels above 60% may allow moisture to build up indoors and condense on surfaces, where bacteria and fungi can settle and grow. You can measure humidity with an instrument called a hygrometer, available at your local hardware store.

Is Your Humidifier Clean? It Could Be a Health Hazard if Not

Does throat your feel like sandpaper when you wake up? It could be the ultra-low humidity in your home. A humidifier can help make things more comfortable.  But what happens when a humidifier becomes dirty? It becomes a health hazard!

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is alerting consumers to possible health hazards resulting from dirty room humidifiers. The CPSC has found that bacteria and fungi often grow in the tanks of portable and console room humidifiers and can be released in the mist.

Breathing dirty mist may cause lung problems ranging from flu-like symptoms to serious infections.

How can a humidifier become a problem?

Humidifiers are a godsend for people that suffer from chronic breathing problems and from dry skin issues. However, if your humidifier is dirty and isn't maintained properly it can be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi.

If you see film or scum appearing on the water surface, on the sides or bottom of the tank, or on exposed motor parts may indicate that the humidifier tank contains bacteria or fungi. A crusty deposit or scale may also form within the tank or on parts in the water. This scale like stuff is composed of minerals that have settled out of the water creating a surface on which bacteria or fungi can grow.

Minerals from the water can be released in the mist and settle as fine white dust. This white dust may contain particles that are small enough to enter the lungs.

Top Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

Few people are aware of the hazards of indoor air pollution. However, indoor air pollution is very prevalent and can cause myriad health problems, including asthma, headaches, cancer, and poisoning, if toxins are at high enough levels. Learn the common sources of indoor air pollution and how to control them.

Toxins

The following airborne toxins are commonly found inside of homes.

Radon – a colorless, odorless radioactive gas linked to lung cancer

Carbon monoxide – also colorless and odorless; can cause poisoning and death

Chemicals in cigarette smoke – a range of carcinogenic chemicals that can cause respiratory problems, cancer, and other health problems

Mold and mildew particles –organic toxins that can cause and worsen breathing problems, including asthma, and even cause death in small children, if severe

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) – includes various toxic gases causing a range of health effects, from nausea and headaches to nervous system damage and liver toxicity

Respirable particles – small bits of matter that can be inhaled, causing breathing problems and cancer

Sources

So where are all those nasty airborne toxins coming from? The following products and activities are common sources of the airborne toxins that cause indoor air pollution.

Cigarette smoke – the source of cancer-causing cigarette smoke chemicals (obviously); also a source of respirable particles and carbon monoxide; can compound the effects of radon pollution

Moisture – when excessive, can lead to the overgrowth of mold and mildew particles

Building products – i.e., carpet, paint, pressed wood products; a major source of VOCs

Heating equipment – i.e., stoves, chimneys, furnaces, fireplaces; a source of respirable particulates and carbon monoxide

Other sources – cleaning supplies, pesticides, new electronics, upholstered furniture, glue, radon-contaminated soil or water supply

Solutions

In many cases, you can reduce indoor air pollution by removing the source. Not smoking cigarettes in the house is an obvious solution. It is also possible to test your home’s radon and carbon monoxide levels to determine if there is a problem and eliminate it. Excess moisture can be removed with a dehumidifier. Store toxic materials, such as paint and pesticides, outdoors. Regular heating system maintenance is also important for reducing emissions.

Increasing ventilation is another essential component of controlling indoor air pollution. Toxic gases, such as radon, carbon monoxide, and VOCs, can be vented outdoors; make sure there is adequate ventilation when using heating equipment and painting, and store new building products outdoors for a few days before bringing them inside. Strategically placed fans and air conditioners, along with open windows and doors, can be used to increase ventilation. Increasing ventilation also helps decrease humidity.

While toxins like radon or carbon monoxide must be vented outdoors or eliminated at the source, air treatment services can remove many airborne contaminants that cause indoor air pollution, including respirable particles, tobacco smoke, and others. Call 333-HELP to learn more about air treatment services to control your indoor air pollution.

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Written and published by Thompson Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

Flu-Proof Your Home

Though we are reaching the end of it, this year’s flu season is predicted to be especially long and especially severe. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do around the home to protect your family members from catching cold and flu viruses.

Disinfect high-traffic areas – These areas include remote controls, computer keyboards, countertops, phones, sinks, and doorknobs. This is important because the main way the flu spreads is when you touch something someone who had flu germs on their hand previously touched. Therefore, disinfecting these areas of your home is especially important if someone in the family is already sick.

Sanitize your cleaning tools – Reusable cleaning tools like sponges, dish and dust rags, mops, and others can actually spread germs if they are not sanitized in between uses. Wash these tools at high temperatures in order to sanitize them (you can also nuke the sponge in the microwave), or rely more heavily on disposable paper towels during flu season.

Go with copper – You probably won’t get around to installing new sinks by the end of this year’s flu season, but the next time you remodel, you might consider installing copper sinks and fixtures if your family is prone to getting sick. Copper and copper alloys are EPA-approved germ killers, meaning that microorganisms that cause illness cannot live on copper surfaces for long. Besides copper sinks, you can also buy other copper fixtures, including doorknobs and switch plates.

Humidify your home – Research shows that having healthy humidity levels in your home can create an inhospitable environment for flu viruses. Thus, a whole-home air filtration system that includes humidity control may help prevent your family from getting sick during flu season.

Besides the above flu-busting recommendations for your home, the following general tips will also help protect you from the flu:

• Washing your hands often using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Not touching your nose, mouth, or eyes.
• Staying away from people who have the flu.
• Protecting your immune system by getting plenty of sleep, managing stress, avoiding alcohol, and getting proper nutrition.

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Written and published by Thompson Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

 

Dust Mites and Your Health

While they are too small to detect with the naked eye, dust mites can cause big health problems for people with asthma or allergies.

These microscopic creatures thrive in warm, humid environments where there are dead skin cells from people and animals to feed on – in other words, they thrive in many ordinary households. In particular, they like bedroom carpeting and household upholstery. As many as 40,000 dust mites can thrive in one ounce of dust, with each releasing about 20 fecal pellets per day.

So what’s the big deal? Out of sight, out of mind, right? Wrong. Exposure to dust mites and their waste products can trigger asthma attacks and allergy symptoms in people with these conditions. According to Alliance for Healthy Homes, exposure to dust mites in childhood may even cause certain children to develop asthma.

Dust mite levels often go down in the winter when humidity levels drop; however, many people with breathing problems use humidifiers in the winter, which can make humidity levels even higher than they are in the summer, thus worsening their dust mite problem and related health problems. Of course, too-low humidity levels can cause breathing problems as well. Indoor humidity levels should ideally be between 35 and 50 percent for optimal air quality and protection from mites.

Some things you can do around the house to get rid of dust mites include weekly hot-water laundering of bedding, covering mattresses and pillows with allergen-resistant covers, and regularly vacuuming and steam cleaning carpets. In humid environments, it may be especially difficult to get rid of dust mites.

While doing things like laundering bedding frequently can help reduce dust mites, if anyone in your household suffers from allergies or breathing problems, a whole-house air filtration system is the best way to zap dust mites, as well as other allergenic particles, toxic compounds, and infectious agents that your family’s air supply may be harboring. Air filtration services can also be used to provide optimal indoor humidity levels. Call 513-333-HELP to learn more.

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Written and published by Thompson Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

 

(Photo via Flickr)

Carbon Monoxide Safety

Now that winter is in full swing, chances are you’re using your furnace to warm your home. However, while you’re warming up, the dangers of carbon monoxide could be lurking in the same items that are heating your home.

This gas is particularly scary because it’s impossible to test: you can’t see it or smell it, yet it can come from space heaters, leaking chimneys, or a cracked furnace, and even a fireplace or a gas stove.

When a person has been affected by carbon monoxide, the symptoms are very similar to those of the flu—dizziness and nausea—and if ignored, they can be deadly.

There are several ways to prevent the presence of carbon monoxide in your home. The first step is to follow all of the directions when it comes to any heating element. Make sure you’re using the right amount of gas in heaters, only use vented space heaters, and don’t idle your car in a closed garage.

Make it a habit to have all of your in-home heating elements evaluated by a professional each year. This will ensure they’re in working condition for the upcoming season.

It’s also a good idea to check your carbon monoxide detectors often. Make sure you have enough in the home; there should be one outside each bedroom or sleeping area, as well as one on every floor. These alarms should be tested every month and completely replaced every 5 years.

It’s best to go ahead and practice a drill with your family—what to do and where to go should the alarm go off. If you live in an area with neighbors, inform them of your plan; perhaps you can call for help from their home.

Stay warm this winter, and stay safe by taking the extra steps to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

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Written and published by Thompson Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

Making the Chimney Safe

If your home has a chimney, it probably got a nice break during the summer months. But is your chimney safe enough to endure the months after? Now is the time to have it cleaned and serviced to be sure your home remains safe when you light the first fire of the season.

Chimneys are a necessary part of a fireplace. They vent the smoke and carbon monoxide from the fire out of the house. However, over time the walls of the chimney get buildup and could cause a chimney fire, which aren’t visible inside the home but are very dangerous.

Having your chimney cleaned once a year by a professional will prevent a chimney fire. Once you call a professional, their cleaning and inspection will cover all possible problems. They will make sure your chimney has a good vent system so carbon monoxide doesn’t find its way back into your home. They will clean any buildup that’s occurred over time, as well as look for cracks to fill.

Once the professional is finished with their cleaning and inspection, there are some things you can do over the season to make sure your fireplace and chimney remains safe. Start by only burning well-seasoned woods. Green woods are known to burn creosote faster, which causes the buildup in your chimney and causes localized fires.

You can also put a chimney cap over your chimney. This allows smoke to vent out, but keeps any debris from falling into your chimney and fireplace.

Finally, when you clean your fireplace and remove the ashes, make sure they are thoroughly cooled and stored in a sealed metal container placed away from your home and any flammable items.

Following these tips will keep your fireplace a cozy, safe place to be around all season long.

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Home is Where the Health Is is written & published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling

 

(Photo via Flickr)

Dealing with Fall Allergies

Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling customer, brace yourself for a little bad news: every major Ohio city, as well as Louisville, Kentucky, ranked high in a recent survey of the worst cities for fall allergies.

Though it’s not very fun to live in the “allergy vortex” this time of year if you’re sensitive to the common fall allergens in our region, there are a couple things you can do to help minimize their impact.

First, it’s good to be informed about allergens so you know when to expect them. Many people think spring or summer are the worst seasons for allergies because of all the pollen in the air. However, the number-one trigger for most allergy sufferers, ragweed, produces pollen in the fall. About three-fourths of all allergy sufferers are allergic to ragweed.

But it’s not just ragweed that causes allergy symptoms – other autumn-pollinating weeds common to our area, such as goldenrod, also cause the typical allergy symptoms like sniffling, sneezing, congestion and itchy eyes. The same goes for mold spores.

So what can Ohioan and northern Kentuckian allergy sufferers do to avoid allergens this fall? Not too much, unfortunately. But there are a couple precautions you can take around the house. In addition to taking any doctor-prescribed allergy medication, it’s a good idea to wear a mask when you’re outside raking those fall leaves. Most significantly, it’s important to keep your home heating system and air ducts clean and free of allergens.

Got allergies, or reason to suspect your ducts aren’t clean? Call Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling about having your ducts cleaned and removing airborne contaminates from your home today.

 

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Home is Where the Health Is is written & published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling

 

(Photo via Flickr)

Using a Humidifier During a Drought

With the recent spike in heat across the country paired with very little rain, air quality is poor.  

During a drought, it’s easy to assume the presence of pollen would be less. However, the dry climate actually creates the opposite effect, causing pollen to continually cycle through the air.

Unfortunately, we bring this pollen, dust and dirt into our homes, creating a bad situation for our indoor air quality. Dry air alone can bring forth throat dryness and respiratory problems.

However, there is a simple solution: Purchasing a humidifier. Putting a humidifier in your home will help the indoor air quality when humidity levels are less than normal. Adding moisture in the air will help with dry skin, cold, flu, allergies and even asthma. 

As with many products for the home, there are many different types and models of humidifiers to choose from. Manufacturers offer humidifiers for warm weather conditions and for cold weather conditions. Humidifiers for cold weather use a heating element, such as steam, a vaporizer or a misting device.

The heating method warms the water in the unit, then it emits into the air. Humidifiers for warm weather don’t use a heating device. Instead, they put moisture into the air by way of an impeller, an evaporation wick or ultrasonic technologies.

If you decide to purchase a humidifier for your home, make sure to follow the suggested safety measures to avoid any problems in your home. Measuring the current moisture in your home is a good start, so you don’t over moisturize.

Regularly cleaning the humidifier and refreshing the water in its tank will keep your air quality top notch and prevent bacteria and mold from appearing. Use distilled water to curtail the rapid growth of micro-organisms. Clean all of the attachments and parts on a regular basis, especially after pulling the unit out of storage from the dry, summer months.

 

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Home is Where the Health Is is written & published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling

The Effects of Cigarette Smoking In the Home and AC System

 When a non-smoker walks into a home where cigarettes have been smoked, they can tell it immediately. Not only does the smell of tobacco smoke linger in the air, but the walls are yellowed with tar, and often the curtains and upholstery will be as well.

The distinctive odor left behind by smoking cigarettes or cigars can infiltrate the heating and air system of a home and become quite expensive and difficult to remove. The health problems associated with smoking in the home can also be devastating, even to those who do not smoke.

According to the American Cancer Society, second hand smoke — smoke inhaled by bystanders — can cause serious health issues for those who do not smoke. Asthma and other breathing issues as well as cancer, heart disease and even Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in non-smokers have all been linked back to second hand smoke. The National Cancer Institute estimates that almost forty thousand people die each year from issues obtained from second hand smoke.

The United States Preventive Task Force has issued strong recommendations for doctors to urge adults to quit smoking. It is also advised that doctors warn parents of the hazards of smoking in the home in order to reduce the amount of second hand smoke exposure to children.

As far as cleaning the after effects of smoking in the home, several things must be done. In order to rid the home of the smells smoking leaves behind, an electrical ionic air purification machine may be needed. Wiping down the walls and cabinets as well as having all upholstery, mattresses, and carpets cleaned can also help cut down the damage smoking does to the home.

 

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Home is Where the Health Is is written & published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling