The upcoming holiday season is sure to look a lot different. According to a recent Filtrete™ Brand survey, more than half of Americans (52%) plan to spend more time at home this holiday season compared to years past. And, with more people at home, kitchen appliances throughout the country are sure to get quite the workout as turkeys are cooked, holiday cookies are baked, and tasty side dishes are prepared to complete the perfect family meal. While many prepare to make the most of this year’s holiday season, one thing that’s important to keep in mind is how cooking can lead to bad indoor air quality.
Filtrete™ Brand has partnered with Dr. Neeta Ogden, an allergy, asthma and immunology specialist and weekly contributor to CBS national news who can share more about how to maintain good indoor air quality this holiday season. She can also provide tips about the importance of reducing harmful particles in the air.
Some specific tips include:
- Use proper ventilation - To ensure the only thing leaving your oven is perfectly cooked turkeys, hams, pies and cookies, as opposed to grease, gases and other particles, it’s important to properly ventilate while cooking.
- Be mindful of potential for kitchen mold - Fungus that accumulates on indoor surfaces is referred to as mold or mildew. It needs moisture to survive and reproduces through spores in the air. Because dampness is part of the cause, kitchen appliances, such as dishwashers or refrigerator drip pans and door gadgets, are common sources of buildup. Be sure to fix any kitchen leaks or dripping faucets and regularly check, clean and dry susceptible kitchen surfaces to get rid of mold and reduce the spread throughout your home.
- Shake up stale air - During winter, it’s tough to get air moving because opening a window isn’t really an option. Filtrete™ Air Purifiers can help transform your indoor air, and units have three fan speeds, allowing consumers to choose the right setting for the space.
- Add some greenery - One of the simplest ways to help improve indoor air quality year-round is to infuse your home with plants. English ivy, spider plant and weeping fig have natural air-cleansing properties, not to mention they instantly spruce up a space. A fresh plant may do wonders for your mood, too.