If you or a loved one suffer from asthma or COPD, being aware of potential triggers and planning around them can lower the possibility of an asthma or COPD event this holiday season.
Here are our top four tips to help you prepare for the holiday season:
- Decorations: When you get your holiday decorations out of storage remember they are most likely covered in dust. If the area where your store them has dust and mildew, proactively use your rescue inhaler if your physician advises you to use your inhaler this way, and wear a mask, scarf or bandana for protection from these particles. Then wipe down all your decorations with a cloth to remove any dust before you deck the halls.
- Trees: Freshly cut Christmas trees are beautiful but they can also contain pollen and mold spores, which can trigger breathing problems. If you bring home a live tree for the holiday season, rinse it with a hose and let it dry in your garage before bringing it into the house. And if you live in colder climates, consider getting your tree early so your rinse doesn’t freeze!
- Hosting: Do you scrub the house before you are inundated with guests? Remember cleaning solutions can be a trigger for some people. A safer and less expensive solution is to use everyday items that you already have in your home. Click here for some easy recipes.
- Scents: Holiday scents can be a great addition to the festivities but things like candles, incense and air fresheners can also be a trigger. While they smell good, they may not be good for you or your guests with respiratory challenges.
- Bonus tip – use Propeller: If you’ve been on Propeller for a year or more, go back and check out your trends and triggers from December 2012. It can give you that inside edge you need to keep healthy and ring in the new year right!