Living Room

Ashtray - Tobacco Smoke

Tobacco smoke is the most common asthma trigger. Exposure to secondhand smoke may cause asthma to develop or cause an asthma attack.

• Do not smoke inside the home or in the car. If you must smoke, smoke outside where children will not be exposed.

• Do not allow others to smoke in the home or in the car where children can be exposed.

• For help to stop smoking visit Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation

Fireplace – Nitrogen dioxide & Smoke

Smoke from fireplaces and wood burning stoves contains pollutants, like soot, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. These pollutants can enter the home if the fireplace or stove is not vented correctly.

• Be sure fireplaces and wood burning stoves are properly vented, and the chimney is clear of debris, such as dead leaves.

• Be sure firewood is completely dry and no visible mold is on the wood.

• Firewood stored inside makes a great home for pests. Do not store indoors.

Dog - Pets

Many animals such as dogs and cats shed skin flakes called dander. Animal dander is a common asthma trigger. Fish, turtles and snakes do not shed dander.

• Consider finding a new home for your pet(s).

• Keep pets with dander outdoors.

• If you can not remove the animal, do the following actions:

  • Keep pets off furniture and out of bedrooms, keep bedroom doors closed.

  • Place dense vent filters over air vents to trap floating dander.

  • Vacuum carpet, window coverings, and fabric-covered furniture when people with asthma are not present. Use HEPA filter vacuums or HEPA filter bags.

  • Consider using a HEPA air purifier to help filter airborne allergens.

  • Bathe animals with fur weekly.

  • Pets usually kept in cages, like gerbils and birds, should remain in cages as much as possible. Clean cages often.

  • Locate caged animals away from vents and returns.

  • Wash hand after handling, feeding, or cleaning the animal’s cage.

Area Rug - Dust Mites

Dust mites are tiny bugs that are too small to see with the naked eye. They live in all fabrics like rugs.

• Choose hard-surface flooring when possible.

• Use washable area rugs as needed. Wash area rugs often in hot water (130°F). Caution: Temperatures this high may scald skin.

• Vacuum carpet and area rugs weekly when people with asthma are not present. Use HEPA filter vacuums or HEPA filter bags.

• Clean spilled liquids right away. Be sure wet areas on carpets or rugs are dry within 24 to 48 hours to avoid mold.

Humidity Monitor - Mold & Dust Mites

Excess moisture and humidity levels above 60 percent promote the growth of mold and dust mites. A humidity monitor will gauge the amount of moisture in the air.

• Install a humidity monitor to gauge the humidity levels in the home. Humidity levels should be between 40 and 60 percent.

• Use a dehumidifier when needed. Many dehumidifiers detect the humidity level and automatically turn on and off to adjust levels.

• Running an air conditioner will also help reduce humidity levels.

Drapes - Dust Mites

Dust mites are tiny bugs that are too small to see with the naked eye. They live in all fabrics, including drapes.

• Use washable drapes or blinds.

• Regularly wash drapes in hot water (130°F); Caution: Temperatures this high may scald skin.

• Regularly wipe dust from blinds with a damp, soapy cloth

Chair - Dust Mites

Dust mites are tiny bugs that are too small to see with the naked eye. They live in all fabrics, including furniture.

• Use wood, leather or vinyl furniture when possible. Wipe the whole chair weekly with a damp, soapy cloth including cracks and crevices.

• Vacuum furniture with fabric weekly when people with asthma are not present. Use HEPA filter vacuums or HEPA filter bags.

• Use washable throw pillows. Wash pillows weekly in hot water (130°F). Caution: Temperatures this high may scald skin.

• Keep pets off furniture.

• Vacuum and shampoo secondhand furniture before bringing indoors.

Open Window - Pollen, Mold & Air Pollution

Outdoor air pollution, pollen and mold spores can drift into the home through an open window, all of which can make asthma symptoms worse.

• Keep windows closed when pollen or mold counts are high. Use air conditioners to filter air when possible.

• Check your local newspaper or the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology website for Daily Pollen & Mold Counts .

• If you live near high traffic areas, keep windows closed when ozone/smog levels are high. Use air conditioners to filter air when possible.

• Limit outdoor activities on Ozone Action Days. Ozone Action Days usually occur on hot, sunny summer days with little to no wind.

• Check the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s Smog Watch website for daily smog levels or call 1-800-631-2871 or (317) 233-2318.

Houseplant - Mold

Plants can be a source of mold, if they are over watered or allowed to sit in standing water.

• If mold is a problem, limit the number of houseplants.

• Do not over water and do not allow plants to sit in standing water.

• Repot once a year.

• Remove dead plant matter. Do not allow dead leaves to rot in the pot.

• Clean any mold growth on pots with a damp, soapy cloth.

Entertainment Center - Dust

There are many asthma triggers found in house dust, such as mold spores, pollen grains, animal dander, insect body parts/feces, and dust mites/feces.

• Regularly wipe hard surfaces with a damp, soapy cloth removing house dust.

Candle - Strong Odors

Candles release strong fragrances and soot that can irritate the lungs.

• Limit the use of candles and other air fresheners.

Air Vent - Dust

House dust builds up in ventilation systems. There are many asthma triggers in house dust, such as mold spores, pollen grains, animal dander, insect body parts/feces, and dust mites/feces.

• Remove the air vent face plate and vacuum when people with asthma are not present. Use a HEPA filter vacuum or HEPA filter bags.

• Place dense vent filters over air vents to trap house dust floating through the ventilation system.