• Do not allow anyone to smoke in your home or around your child.
• See an allergist or pulmonologist to learn more about your child's asthma triggers. Asthma can be triggered by many things, such as allergens, air pollutants, exercise, cold air, respiratory infections, stress, and more.

  If your child is allergic to dust mites:

  • Remove wall-to-wall carpeting, especially in your child's bedroom. You can use washable area rugs, but be sure to wash these in hot water regularly.
  • Vacuum upholstered furniture and any remaining rugs every 2-3 days with a HEPA vacuum cleaner.
  • Dust surfaces and floors using a damp cloth or mop at least weekly or more.
  • Encase your child's mattress and pillows with a dust mite-proof encasement.
  • Do not use foam or feather pillows.
  • Wash bedding every two weeks in hot water that is 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Note: Water this hot can scald children. Make sure you have installed safety devices on tub and sink faucets!
  • Keep humidity below 50 percent to prevent dust mite growth. Measure humidity with a hygrometer, sold in hardware stores. Use air conditioners or de-humidifiers on humid days. Limit use of humidifiers to very dry winter days, and clean them regularly.
  • Minimize the number of stuffed animals in your child's room

  If your child is allergic to pollen:

  • Keep your windows closed on high pollen days. Pollen counts are listed in the weather section of the newspaper and on Pollen.com.
  • Replace filters on air conditioners regularly.
  • Keep your child indoors in the early morning when pollen levels are highest.

  If you child is allergic to mold:

  • Look for signs of mold growth in damp ares, such as basements, bathrooms, under sinks, where you may have had roof or plumbing leaks, and in closets. Clean and kill visible mold with a 10 percent chlorine bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water). Keep children away while the clean up is in progress. Address moisture sources and repair leaks.
  • Keep humidity below 50 percent. See Dust Mite section above for tips.

  If your child is allergic to cockroaches or mice:

  • Use least toxic pest control methods, such as baits. For treatment methods, see Pesticide Action Network’s Pesticide Advisor
  • Prevent infestation by reducing clutter, covering pet food bowls, cleaning kitchen surfaces frequently. Do not leave food and water out. Caulk cracks, fill small holes with steel wool.

  If your child is allergic to pets:

  • If you cannot remove the pet from your home, keep it out of your child’s bedroom and outdoors as much as possible. Consider allergen desensitization.
  • Even if you do remove the pet, animal dander is very difficult to remove completely.
• Open a window or use an exhaust fan when you are cooking on a gas stove.
• If your region is experiencing high ozone (smog), keep your windows closed and children indoors. Smog is highest in the summer from 3 pm to 6 pm. You can find the air quality index in the newspaper or at Air Now.
• If you live in a high traffic area, keep your windows closed when traffic is heaviest.
• Find safer alternatives to household products that irritate airways.
  • Use mild or environmentally friendly cleaners instead of extra-strength cleaners, dry cleaning fluids, carpet cleaners.
  • Do not use air fresheners, scented candles, and scented products.
  • Use low VOC paints and building supplies for home improvement projects, or keep children out of the home until fumes have dissipated.
  • Avoid use of pesticides in and around the home.
  • Avoid aerosol sprays.
• Limit use of wood stoves and fireplaces.
• Use an air purifier only as a last resort, after you have taken all other steps to reduce asthma triggers. While some air purifiers can help reduce some pollutants, they will not remove all of them.

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