Fall and winter are here as people begin to prepare for the holidays. Many look forward to spending quality time with their family members and friends. It is also the best time for senior citizens to relax, have fun, and spend time in comfortable and warm environments as they enjoy the moment.
When preparing to decorate your home in Frankfort, Versailles, Midway, Georgetown, and Lawrenceburg for the holidays, it is essential to note that some decorations can affect indoor air quality, which may cause health problems and worsen air quality for seniors. Here is important information about fall and winter decorations in Bluegrass and their impact on air quality.
Home Decorations That Can Affect Air Quality in Fall and Winter in Bluegrass
Learning about the decorations that may affect air quality and what to do about it to make the home comfortable is essential. Here are some of the decorations and solutions.
Dusty Decorations Out of Storage
The battle with dust is a never-ending one in many homes. With decor storage, it is common for the materials to accumulate dust over time. The dust continues settling throughout the storage space and can attract dust mites, leading to respiratory complications such as asthma, and this may affect the health of a senior.
When you remove the decor from storage, ready to beautify the home, fine particles from the dust can get trapped in the mouth, lungs, and nose, causing respiratory complications. For this reason, it is important to clean and dry the materials before using them for fall and winter decorations. This can prevent mold and mildew growth and reduce indoor air pollution.
Scented Candles
Scented candles, especially those with fall scents, are popular products that many people use in their homes for fall and winter decorations. The candles can fill rooms with wonderful aromas, creating a pleasant ambiance and making the homestay comfortable, relaxing, and fun. However, some scented candles, especially cheaper ones, can threaten seniors' health. They contain paraffin wax, a harmful chemical that releases pollutants into the air when burning.
Some inexpensive scented candles also contain lead in the wicks. This incredibly toxic element can affect indoor air quality and cause health complications for seniors. It is important to use natural waxes and original cotton wicks to keep off harmful chemicals from the home.
Live Christmas Trees
It is common for many people in Frankfort, Versailles, Midway, Georgetown, and Lawrenceburg to have Christmas trees in their homes. At the beginning of November, many begin thinking about buying Christmas trees. These trees bear hazardous allergens that may affect home indoor air quality. Over time, they can accumulate mold, dust, pollen, and other pollutants. This may lead to mold allergic reactions and trigger underlying health conditions for seniors.
Most allergies can trigger nasal stiffness, irritation, headache, and nose, eye, and throat infections in seniors. However, this doesn't mean that people should avoid using Christmas trees to decorate their homes for fall and winter. They can use air purifiers and clean the home regularly to improve indoor air quality and prevent infections.
Breathe More Easily This Fall and Winter
There are many ways to avoid indoor air pollution without worrying about which decor to use and which one to avoid. Taking measures to maintain quality indoor air will make life comfortable and relaxed for senior citizens in fall and winter.
If you live in Bluegrass and looking for in-home care for a senior loved one, we are ready to help. Senior Helpers Bluegrass offers in-home senior care in Frankfort, Versailles, Midway, Georgetown, & Lawrenceburg, providing a wide range of services that includes specialized care for those with Alzheimer's, Dementia, Parkinson's, and other chronic diseases. Contact us for a free consultation to learn about our services.