Keep Autumn Allergens Away

Autumn's crisp air and bright colors are not a welcome sight for everyone. Fall also brings seasonal allergies due to increased exposure to ragweed, pollen, molds and dust mites.

Though it's impossible to control the great outdoors, steps can be taken to greatly reduce allergens from the indoor home environment during this allergy season to help reduce the severity of allergy and asthma symptoms. With fall right around the corner, a little planning ahead can help minimize the exposure to allergens in the home and improve indoor air quality. Even for those without allergies or sensitive respiratory systems, it's important to have a clean home.

Some tips to keep autumn allergens at bay in the home:

• Clean heating ducts and replace furnace filter. Before you turn on your heat for the first time this fall, have your heating ducts cleaned. Particles of mold, dust and other allergens can become trapped in the vents over the summer and will fill the air as soon as you crank up the furnace. Also, remember to replace your old furnace filter with a pleated furnace filter that captures more allergy causing particles than standard furnace filters.

• Dust and vacuum often. Vacuum regularly with a machine that features a sealed HEPA filtration system. This will remove autumn allergens like pollen, mold, dust mites and pet dander from the air while eliminating dust and dirt in the home. When dusting, do so with microfiber towels and dusters. Such products attract dust, which cling to the fibers instead of simply dropping back to the ground.

• Filter allergens. Change vacuum filters and bags regularly to reduce the number of allergens and other particles released into the air. Filtrete vacuum filters and bags, for example, optimize vacuum performance, keeping the home cleaner by trapping dust.

• Bathe and brush pets regularly. When pets come inside after romping around all of the dead leaves in the yard, their coats are often loaded with dirt and dander that scatters around the house and can contribute to poor indoor air quality. To avoid this problem, brush pets' hair before they re-enter the home from outdoors and bathe them regularly.

• Don't invite outdoor triggers into your home. During fall months, fresh breezes and open windows aren't always a blessing, especially for homeowners with pollen allergies. Prevent pollen spores from infiltrating the home by keeping windows closed and leaving your shoes at the door to avoid tracking pollen, dust, and other debris inside.

• Stay indoors. Monitor pollen counts and adjust outdoor activities accordingly. Dry, windy weather, especially after a rainy day, can be particularly high in pollen. Stay indoors during peak pollen production, usually from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m.