Clean Home Ideas — News Releases

Sneezing Season Stretches

LOUISVILLE, Ohio - (May 31, 2009) - “Bless you,” a common greeting for allergy sufferers, might be heard more often this year as a predicted extended pollination season settles in. Scientists, including Paul Epstein, associate director of the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School, have long believed that global warming has lengthened the pollination season, leaving sufferers to sneeze and itch their way to November.

But before you run to have a prescription filled — or doubled — you may consider trying some of these pro-active tips from www.cleanhomeideas.com to prevent flare ups. They’re cost effective and simple.

Keep it clean. A central vacuum system can most effectively remove pollen from carpets and drapes, and transport it away from living spaces to locations like the garage, attic, closet or basement. Traditional vacuum cleaners tend to re-circulate allergens back into the air and can actually aggravate symptoms.

Be alert. Keep an eye out for high pollen-count days. Dry, windy days tend to be the most troublesome for people with pollen allergies. Some allergy sufferers claim that the highest counts are at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. You can also visit www.pollen.com and enter your zip code for a four-day pollen forecast.

Avoid triggers. Stay indoors as much as possible on high pollen-count days. When you do go out, steer clear of: exhaust fumes and other air pollution, perfume, animal dander, high stress situations, spicy food, smoke and other possible irritants.

Leave it outside. When you return home from being outside, take off your shoes before stepping in. Also, change clothes and wash the ones you were wearing. These items are magnets for pollen grains.

Barricade pets. Pets can carry a high amount of pollen from the outdoors. If you can’t keep your pet from going outside, keep it out of the bedroom and use a permanent, washable HEPA air filter on your furnace.

Close it up. Keep windows and doors shut. If you can, use central air conditioning to battle the heat.

While pollination may be on the rise, itchy eyes and runny noses don’t have to be. Taking a preventative approach to allergies this season could keep symptoms at bay. Tips for alleviating dust or mold allergies can also be found online at www.cleanhomeideas.com.

About www.cleanhomeideas.com:
The site is sponsored by H-P Products, Inc., a Louisville, Ohio-based manufacturer of central vacuum system floor care products, including the VACUFLO® and Dirt Devil® lines of central vacuums.