Asthma Friendly Homes

People with asthma need to be more aware of what triggers their asthma within the home, which includes the family pet, dust and dust mites, mould, smoke, and cleaning products.

In Winter, people spend up to 90% of their days inside on average. Research has shown that indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. For people with asthma, indoor air has a material impact on health and quality of life.

People with asthma need to be more aware of what can trigger their asthma within the home.Triggers may include the family pet, dust and dust mites, mould, smoke, and cleaning products.

To help the public get a better understanding of the triggers within thier home, the Asthma Society runs an annual Asthma Friendly Homes awareness campaign.

WIN:

This week, we'll be giving away three €50 All4One vouchers on our social media. For your chance to win, simply like and share our Asthma Friendly Homes videos on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - we'll be giving away a voucher a day.

As part of our Asthma Friendly Homes campaign, this year we have created a leaflet which can be downloaded here. The leaflet will help people understand what the most common triggers are within the home and what can be done to combat them.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease. While asthma cannot be cured, there are measures you can take to reduce your asthma symptoms, especially within the home:

Be aware of your asthma symptoms and warning signs;
Be aware of your personal asthma triggers and minimise them;
Use your medication as prescribed to treat and prevent your asthma.

Triggers found within the home:

Pets

If you are allergic to certain pets, rehome the pet if possible
Keep pets away from living areas
Keep pets away from fabric-covered furniture, rugs and carpets
Ensure your pet is properly washed by someone without an allergy
Vacuum regularly using a vacuum suitable for pet hair

Dust and Dust Mites

If you are allergic to dust, damp-dust the house at least once a week
Remove any unwanted clutter to avoid gathering dust
Wash sheets, pillow covers and blankets at 60 degrees every week
Use allergy-proof covers for mattress, pillow and blankets
Vacuum your pillows and mattress
Wear a dust mask when dusting

Mould

Try not to dry clothes indoors
When showering or cooking, use your extractor fan or open a window
Moulds will only grow in moist conditions:
Check for any leaks around your pipes or water appliances
Use a de-humidifier to reduce the moisture content if necessary

Smoke

Don’t smoke or allow others to smoke in your home
Open fires are dangerous for people with asthma - consider having a more asthma friendly heating arrangement like a sealed stove
Ensure your chimney is cleaned to allow steady flow of smoke

Gas Cookers and Appliances

Ensure that the kitchen is ventilated
Use an extraction fan when cooking
Maintain gas appliances and ensure they are serviced regularly
Have a carbon monoxide alarm installed in your home

Cleaning Products

Use warm water for cleaning, where possible
Choose solid/liquid cleaners over spray cleaners
Use cleaning products that are labelled allergy friendly or stick to the traditional vinegar, baking soda or lemon and ensure the work area is well ventilated

For more information on the scariest triggers within your home, and how to combat them, see

There's something frightening in your home this Halloween

For more information on your pet as an asthma trigger within the home, see:

Could your family pet be making you sick? Should you consider rehoming your pet?

Asthma Friendly Homes Videos