http://www.irhrestoration.com/blog/rss/feedsIntegrity Reliability Honesty your local family owned water damage restoration company you can trust, with over 20 years of experience!Mon, 11 May 2026 04:14:52 -0700http://www.irhrestoration.com/blog/post/8-tips-to-remove-asthma-triggers-and-allergens-in-your-homehttp://www.irhrestoration.com/blog/post/8-tips-to-remove-asthma-triggers-and-allergens-in-your-homeThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that we spend 90% of our time indoors. As such, it’s important to monitor indoor air quality especially for those who suffer from asthma or allergies, as many allergens and asthma triggers lurk in homes. Here are eight ways to improve the air quality in your home: 1. Cockroaches – Cockroaches contain a protein that is a common allergen in many people and their droppings can trigger asthma attacks. Remove moisture in dark areas and limit open food sources. Don’t leave dirty dishes overnight, keep the kitchen clean, and cover trash cans. Use roach traps or call an exterminator if you have a serious cockroach problem. 2. Dust – Dust in homes contains dust mites which can trigger asthma attacks. Minimize the amount of dust in your home by vacuuming surfaces where dust and allergens accumulate. Remove stuffed animals and clutter from your bedroom. Wash your bedding on the hottest water setting. 3. Carpet – If you have carpeting in your home, make sure to clean it regularly as it can trap a large amount of dust and allergens. However, it’s better to have tile or wood floors that are easy to clean. Consider removing wall-to-wall carpeting in your home. 4. Furniture – Dust and allergens can easily get trapped in upholstery. Choose furniture that is easy to clean, such as leather sofas. Avoid furniture upholstered in woven fabric. 5. Mattress and pillows – Dust and allergens can easily get into mattresses and pillows. However, you can use special covers for mattresses and pillows that keep dust and allergens at bay. Sanitize old mattresses and pillows before covering them. 6. Pets – Animal dander is a common allergen that can also trigger asthma attacks. If pets cause your allergy or asthma attacks, keep them outside as much possible and bathe them once a week. Vacuum your home often. 7. Mold – As mold grows in damp areas, keep your home as dry as possible. Use a dehumidifier to maintain indoor humidity below 50%. Fix water leaks and dry wet areas immediately. Check out this link to learn what causes mold in homes. 8. Cigarette Smoke – If you have asthma, you should not smoke. Second-hand smoking is also dangerous as it can trigger asthma attacks. Ask smokers in your home to smoke outside and away from you. Find out more ways to keep indoor air fresh and allergen-free in this article. Your heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system plays an important role in keeping indoor air healthy. But when and how often should you clean your air ducts? Click here for more information about air duct cleaning. For water damage repair, mold removal or air duct cleaning, contact your local PuroClean office. https://www.puroclean.com/blog/8-tips-remove-asthma-triggers-and-allergens-your-home Thu, 18 May 2017 14:25:00 -0700http://www.irhrestoration.com/blog/post/do-you-smoke-here-are-10-fire-safety-tips-you-should-followhttp://www.irhrestoration.com/blog/post/do-you-smoke-here-are-10-fire-safety-tips-you-should-followSmoking is not only bad for our health, but it also causes thousands of home fires every year. Smoking-related home fires can be prevented by exercising proper caution, so follow these tips to prevent them: 1. Use fire-safe cigarettes. Fire-safe cigarettes (FSCs) are designed to extinguish more quickly than standard cigarettes if ignored. Cigarettes that are fire standards-compliant have the "FSC" letters above the barcode.2. Only smoke outside. As most smoking-related fires occur in living rooms and bedrooms, it is best to smoke outside. Cigarette butts or ashes can ignite many things in a home, such as curtains, beds, books, etc.3. Never smoke in bed. If you smoke in bed, you might fall asleep with the lit cigarette. If the cigarette falls, the mattress and bedding can easily catch fire.4. Smoke away from medical oxygen. Never smoke near medical oxygen as it can cause materials to catch on fire quickly and makes fires burn faster than normal.5. Keep children away from smoking materials. To prevent children from playing with cigarettes, matches or lighters, put these smoking materials out of their reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.6. Always put cigarettes out completely. Douse cigarettes with water or sand to make sure you put them out all the way. Before discarding cigarette butts and ashes in the trash, douse them with water again.7. Use deep, sturdy ashtrays that can’t easily tip over. Place ashtrays on level surfaces, outside the home. Put water or sand in them to ensure cigarette butts are put out all the way.8. Never smoke when you’re tired. If you’re feeling sleepy or tired, or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy, you may not be able to exercise proper caution when smoking.9. Never discard cigarettes in vegetation. Dry vegetation, such as mulch, peat moss and leaves, can catch fire when they come in contact with fresh cigarette butts.10. Use electronic cigarettes with caution. Using electronic cigarettes also presents safety risks. Most e-cigarettes use lithium batteries, and using them improperly may result in accidents. Never leave charging e-cigarettes unattended.Candles should also be used with caution. Check out these candle fire safety guidelines. Read How to Prevent Home Fires: 12 Tips to Stay Safe for more information. For professional fire damage repair or smoke remediation services, contact your local PuroClean office. https://www.puroclean.com/blog/do-you-smoke-here-are-10-fire-safety-tips-you-should-follow Thu, 18 May 2017 14:24:00 -0700