Forest fire smoke can affect your health. Persons with respiratory or heart conditions, such as asthma, can experience worsened symptoms during minor and severe smoke events. During severe smoke events even healthy individuals can be affected and may experience irritation of the eyes, throat and possibly shortness of breath. Everyone – and in particular those with pre‐existing respiratory or heart conditions – should monitor their symptoms and seek medical care if symptoms worsen. Who is at risk? Those with pre‐existing heart and respiratory conditions such as asthma are most at risk; however, everyone can be at risk during a severe smoke event and should monitor their symptoms. Take appropriate precautionary measures and seek medical care if symptoms worsen. How do I protect myself? During a severe smoke event: Reduce or avoid strenuous outdoor activities – especially if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. Children, the elderly and those with...

No matter how much of a clean freak you tend to be, the stenches and odors of everyday life are unavoidable. But don't let that get you down — there's often an easy, homemade way to dispel stink from every area in your home.   Here are 15 smelly issues that may occur in your home and solutions we've used or got from our customers over the years! 1. Stinky trash Wash indoor and outdoor trash cans with hot soapy water to remove smelly bits and debris. Leave a couple of used fabric softener sheets in the bottom of your kitchen trash can and compactor to absorb odors. 2. A burnt-on food spill If food from a casserole dish bubbles over onto the stove top or oven floor, sprinkle salt on the drips to absorb the burned smell (this will also make it easier to clean up later). 3. A musty freezer Place a clean sock filled with dry coffee grounds inside to deodorize this pesky spot in your kitchen. 4. A smelly microwave The awful stench of burnt popcorn seems to hang ...

Proper air circulation in a home raises its comfort level substantially and provides a healthier indoor environment. Any form of ventilation, whether it’s opening a window or turning on the ceiling fans, reduces indoor pollutants and maintains the desired levels of humidity and temperature.  Below are a few ideas for proper home ventilation: Windows should be opened in the bathroom when using the shower, in the kitchen when cooking, and in rooms where clothes are hanging out to dry. The doors should be kept closed in these areas to prevent air from escaping. During summer, it’s a good idea to open the windows in the mornings and evenings. When not cooking or using the shower, internal doors should be kept open. This allows for airborne particles to circulate freely, maintaining the same level or air quality in the home. In addition, the doors to closets or wardrobes should be kept shut to prevent air from being trapped in a confined space. Using ceiling fans (clockwi...

WHY DO THIS? If you’re using store-bought aerosol fresheners at home, you’re likely spraying two toxic chemicals in the air: benzene and formaldehyde. By making your own air fresheners, you’ll avoid these harmful chemicals and the health problems that can come along with them. Here are a 5 easy and quick ways to improve the air and make it smell good! HOW TO: 1. Spicy potpourri. In a Ziploc bag, mix one ounce of cinnamon sticks, a small container of whole cloves and a small container of allspice. Give the bag a good shake! Take one teaspoon of the spice blend and mix it with one cup of water. Pour the blend into a saucepan on your stove, bring to a boil, and then let it simmer to create a potpourri with some kick! 2. Vanilla spritzer. Combine a few drops of vanilla extract with a cup of water. Add this mixture to a spray bottle. Use this all-purpose air freshener anywhere in the house to dispel funky odors. Tip: Spray this in your empty vacuum bags – it will freshen up y...