November 12, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 27 How to improve indoor air quality in your home tions. Clean the floors at least once a week during the winter months, ideally with a vacuum that is equipped with a HEPA filter. The HEPA filter is important because it can prevent dust and dirt from being blown back out of the vacuum in the exhaust. Be sure to mop after vacuuming, as even the most effective vacuums leave potentially harmful dust particles behind. A once- over with a mop and some hot water can remove any lingering dust left behind by the vacuum. Place a floor mat near every entrance. Winter is a messy season, and it is easy to bring in the great outdoors when entering the home. Dirt that sticks to shoes may con- tain potentially harmful chemicals, so place a floor mat near any door where people routinely enter the home and politely ask that all who enter wipe off and remove their shoes before moving about the house. Dehumidify the home. Mold and dust mites thrive on moisture, so homeowners who are concerned about the moisture in their homes during the winter months can purchase a dehumidifier to control aller- gens and reduce moisture in the air. In addition to using a dehumidifier, humid- ity in the home can be controlled by using With winter on the horizon, homeown- ers who live in locales with harsh winters are preparing their homes for a season spent largely indoors. Unlike the other seasons of the year, when homeowners can comfort- ably air out their homes by opening win- dows, winter offers few such opportunities to let nature improve indoor air quality. Such a reality can make a home uncom- fortable as winter drags on, but that dis- comfort pales in comparison to the health risks presented by poor indoor air quality. Radon, volatile chemicals from fragrances used in conventional cleaners, and lead from house dust are just a few of the many sources of indoor air pollution commonly found in homes. These pollutants can be especially harmful in winter, when many people spend more time indoors thanks to harsh weather. While it is not practical to keep the win- dows open wide in the winter, there are some steps that can be taken to improve indoor air quality at home. Clean the floors regularly. Dirty floors take their toll on a home’s indoor air qual- ity. Dust that is allowed to settle on floors may contain harmful chemicals and aller- gens that can lead to respiratory problems and additional uncomfortable health condi- an exhaust fan when cooking, addressing leaky plumbing fixtures to prevent mold growth, and making sure the clothes dryer is vented to the outside of the home. Choose naturally scented laundry products. Everyone wants freshly cleaned clothes to smell good, but the price they pay when using laundry products that employ synthetic fragrances may be far steeper than they realize. Such synthetic fragrances emit dozens of chemicals into the air, so choose naturally scented detergents, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets when possible. Avoid plug-in air fresheners. Unless oth- erwise noted on the packaging, plug-in air fresheners likely contain volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which contain a vari- ety of chemicals that can negatively impact both short- and long-term health. Instead of plugging in an air freshener to improve a home’s interior aroma, slice fresh lemons and leave them out in the kitchen and keep fresh indoor plants in living areas. Studies from NASA have shown that indoor plants naturally purify indoor air by absorbing materials released by synthetic materials. As winter gets set to return, homeown- ers can employ several simple strategies to improve indoor air quality in their homes.