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[ Dust | Animals | Odors & Sprays | Weather | Smoke ]
[ Emotions | Pollen | Mold | Other
Outdoor Triggers ]
Dust
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Dust often with a damp cloth or mop. |
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Wash stuffed animals often. Don’t let your child sleep with them. |
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Put dustproof cases on pillows, mattresses and box springs. |
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Wash sheets weekly in hot water. |
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Animals
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Keep cats, dogs, & birds outside, or at least out of the child’s bedroom. |
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Bathe pets weekly. |
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Consider dander-free pets, like fish or turtles. |
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Try not to use aerosol sprays, mothballs, paint, and any cleaning products that have a strong scent. |
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Don’t use hairspray, spray deodorant, perfumes, or powders around your child. |
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Turn on the exhaust fan when you cook. |
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Limit outdoor play when the weather turns cold and dry or gets hot and humid. Changes in the weather can cause a flare-up. |
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Cover the child’s mouth and nose with a scarf in very cold weather. |
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Don’t allow smoking in your house. |
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Make sure smoke from fireplaces and wood-burning
stoves doesn't get into the room. |
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Sit in the non-smoking section when eating out. |
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Ask for non-smoking cars and hotel rooms. |
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Laughing, crying, getting excited, or getting angry change the way your child breathes. This can lead to a flare-up. |
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Remind your child to breathe slowly and deeply for a few minutes if these emotions start to trigger a flare-up. |
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Ask your health care provider to show your child how to do deep breathing. |
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Turn on air conditioning instead of opening the windows. Change the filters often. |
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Dry clothes and bedding in the dryer, not outside on a clothesline. |
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Mold
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Wash mold off hard surfaces and dry completely. Absorbent materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be replaced if they are contaminated with mold. |
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Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water. |
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Use exhaust fans or open windows in kitchens and bathrooms when showering, cooking, or using the dishwasher. |
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Vent clothes dryers to the outside. |
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Keep humidity low indoors. |
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Other Outdoor Triggers
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Other outdoor triggers include particulate matter (particles that can be breathed deep into the lungs) from pesticides, woodsmoke, diesel and other pollutants. |
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Stay indoors as much as possible on days when the air quality in the area is poor. |
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If you must use a wood heater or stove, only use models approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. |
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Use lower emission vehicles for travel and take
the bus, carpool or bicycle whenever possible. |
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Support local and state legislation that works to clean up the air. |
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You can download a copy of these hints and tips in Adobe Acrobat format.
Download a free copy of the document reader from the Adobe
Website.
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