Before the furnace kicks on for the winter heating
season, take a few minutes to prep your home for the winter.
Back in 1999, on a syndicated medical show, Ask Dr. Bob, the issue of mold and algae growth within home furnaces during the summer months was discussed. It seems that when the furnace is fired up for the first several times in the heating season, the mold and algae burn off, but as they do, they are propelled throughout your home. This goes on during the first few days the heating is actually working on a regular basis. For those with allergies or a possibly compromised respiratory tract, this could pose a problem.
What's a person to do? Well, Dr. Bob suggests taping something like a paper towel, cheesecloth, or something similar over the key registers in the living area, especially those in the bedroom -- prior to the first few days your furnace will be turned on. After several days of the furnace running, perhaps five to seven days, go ahead and remove the register coverings.
Another alternative to the paper towel concept is using a product such as Swiffer® refills. These type of products are electrostatically-charged, meaning it is better able to pick up more of the dust, dirt, hair, and common allergens than traditional methods, but also traps more airborne particles on the cloth when taped over the registers. The suggested retail price for a pack of 64 Swiffers is around $11, but if you check at places such as Sam's Club, Lowe's, Home Depot, and others, you might find a deal on them.
To tape the cloths to the registers, you can use masking tape, but there's another product I found information on. It is called Intertape Pro-Mask Blue Painter's Tape®. While it is more expensive than the old light tan masking tape, it is a high-tack tape is perfect for masking delicate areas such as wallpaper, painted surfaces, and glass. Removes easily without leaving a sticky residue.
While you're moving about your home, doing routine maintenance, add one more item to your monthly to-do list of things: change your furnace filter in the heating months and your central air conditioning filter in the summer months. Doing this simple monthly task can help keep energy bills slightly reduced, help lengthen the life of your furnace and central air unit, as well as provide you with cleaner air.
According to the segment on the Dr. Bob show, many people may notice themselves having a scratchy throat or signs of a cold. The segment's script (Oct. 11, 1999) can be found, in full, at http://www.askdrbob.com/archives/housecalls/Oct99.htm#11.
Disclaimer: Neither Dave Jackson nor Awake In Philly has any affiliation, joint venture, partnership, or employment, with any of the products, services, companies, or resources cited in this summary. All products products or services identified are for reference only and not intended to imply any form of endorsement.
Random
Fact:
Interesting Apnea Statistics
~~ Apnea in the United States ~~
As of March 23, 2007 at 10:54 a.m. (-0500), the U.S. population was 301,442,343. With new estimates
that about seven percent of the population suffers from obstructive sleep apnea, that means
there are potentially 21,100,964 apneics in the U.S.
Apnea around the world ~~
As of March 23, 2007 at 10:54 a.m. (-0500), the world population was 6,584,093,711. With new estimates
that about seven percent of the population suffers from obstructive sleep apnea, that means
there are potentially 460,886,560 apneics in the world.
Awake In Philly is a community education group for individuals who have been
diagnosed with at least one of the recognized sleep disorders, as well as anyone
else impacted by those with sleep disorders. The information contained in this
site is intended to provide support, guidance, and encouragement to others contending
with the many challenges of sleep disorders. The goals of Awake In Philly are to support, educate, and inform those who feel the impact of sleep disorders,
as well as the general public, and is not intended to replace medical
advice, nor is any information to be misinterpreted as an attempt to diagnose,
treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
If you have questions about any of the medical conditions mentioned on this website, especially if you suspect that you (or someone you know) has sleep apnea, please
contact a qualified medical professional immediately. Medical advice should only come from qualified, licensed, and trained healthcare professionals.
Citation: David F. Jackson.
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