As the weather grows colder and we shut windows and doors we seem to open season on colds, flu, and other respiratory issues that are not as prevalent during the warmer months of the year. Studies have shown that this is because we insulate our spaces so well that we trap airborne pollutants inside making indoors heavily populated places like day care facilities not such healthy places to be. Here are 5 easy ways to improve the air quality in your day care starting today. Wash Mats and Blankets Weekly-Children are often asked to bring a favorite blanket or mat, or even sleeping bag with them to be used for rest time during the day. These mats are havens for dust mites which are sent airborne with the slightest movement. And given that a preschooler is going to handle it, you can see the potential for dust mites in the air. These blankets should be washed by parents, or your facility at least once a week in hot water (140 degrees) to keep the mite count low. If you are asking parents to do this, let them know why, and educate them about what a difference this can make in their child's overall health both at day care and at home. Eliminate Carpet-Even though carpet feels cozy, it makes a great home for pollutants that can be tracked in on shoes like dust, sand, pollen, mold and mildew spores that have found moisture and are starting to grow, and-once again-dust mites. Kids jumping, running, bouncing, rolling on the carpet will cause these pollutants to go airborne creating symptoms in even the healthiest child, and exacerbating symptoms of children who suffer from chronic allergy and asthma. Educate Children-Explain to your children about germs and how they "fly around" looking to make a home in someone's body-many times causing sickness. Let them know that they can make a difference, and can have control over the germs that they spread. Have children cover their mouths with their arms to stop germs from flying out to visit someone else, and pile on the praise when they are successful at doing this. Pretty soon they'll be correcting you! Go Green-It may be impossible to do this over night but over the course of a few months or a year you can surround your children and staff with products that do not off gas chemicals-and this includes everything from cleaning products that are effective without the volatile organic chemicals that off gas so easily; natural organic fibers for furniture and curtains; and paints, markers, and glues that are okay for children to breathe. Not only will this be a great thing to do for your air quality, but a great way to model an environmentally friendly way to live for both children and their parents. Use An Air Purifier to Filter the Air-A high efficiency particle arresting (HEPA) air purifier is a safe, effective, and economical way to remove harmful airborne pollutants including bacteria and viruses from the air 24 hours every day. HEPA technology is recommended by the American Lung Association and the International Association of Air Cleaner Manufacturers (IAACM) because it is effective without producing toxic ozone gas or off gassing any other harmful by-products. The only by product a HEPA air purifier produces is fresh clean air.
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