We’ve been cooped-up in our cozy cubbies all season. Sure, this winter wasn’t a “bear” when it comes to the cold, but with each sunny springtime day we begin to exhibit post-hibernation behavior: We begin to dig; but we’re not digging for grubs and roots. We’re digging into boxes and stored away papers. Digging in […]
The Humble Dust Mite: a Small but Mighty Challenger to Summer Healthiness
In Western North Carolina, humidity is up. If you’re also experiencing ongoing summertime allergies or chronic rhinitis (runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing or coughing), you may want to consider whether it’s possible the humble dust mite has a big impact on your health. You can lead a dust mite to water, but you can’t make […]
Dust Bunnies or Dust Bears?
This winter was “a bear”! We’ve been cooped-up in our cozy cubbies all season. Now each sunny day feels more like springtime and we begin to exhibit post-hibernation behavior. We begin to dig. But we’re not digging for grubs and roots. We dig into boxes and store away papers. We dig in the closet for clothes that […]
Four Easy Ways to Get Lice Out of Your Family’s House – Fast!
As school rings in across western North Carolina, teachers, students and families look forward to a host of new, shared experiences. With the coming of fall, furry caps and wooly coats comes the inevitable gift of togetherness: head lice. Oh, my! My skin starts to crawl just thinking about head lice. Doubtless, an itch or […]
Breathe Easy Indoors When the Pollen Count Rises
Springtime in the beautiful Southern Appalachians of western North Carolina is a wonder to behold, particularly viewed from any of our area’s exceptional hiking trails or waterfalls. Unfortunately, for those of us with allergies or asthma, there’s also nothing like a high pollen count to drive us indoors. From early April to mid-May, pollen counts […]
9 Asthma and Other Illness Triggers and What You Can Do About Them
According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 7.8% of Americans suffer from asthma. Many folks come to us over concerns about mold. And while it is certainly a problem that could affect one’s health, there are other irritants, allergens, VOCs, toxins, and pollutants that can be just as harmful. […]
Summer Ventilation Improves Home Healthiness and Your Healthiness, Too
Air quality is a leading concern for many people investing in the healthiness of their homes. In our annual survey, indoor air quality remains the top priority among respondents year after year. The 2021 Southern Appalachian Home Health and Happiness Survey Summer months in the southern Appalachians are something special. Many of us relocated here […]
Chronic Allergies? Cockroaches Should Be On the List of Culprits
If you’re a hunter kitty, that fast moving, flying American cockroach, known as a “palmetto bug,” or its smaller, particularly invasive German cousin sure looks like fun. But what you and I know that kitty does not is that cockroaches are not only not fun, they’re also not healthy. In western North Carolina, allergens such […]
A Cautionary Tale of Jim, the DIY Homeowner Who Vented a Crawl Space
When it comes to maintaining a healthy home, homeowners can do about 50 percent, or half, of those needed project themselves. That’s good news for the handy types among us. Tools and materials are a do-it-yourselfer’s idea of fun. Add a bit of common sense, make a plan, top with a sense of adventure, and […]
7 Secrets To Good Indoor Air Quality During Winter
If Your Home Could Talk, What Would It Say? In these winter months, when we expect more extreme weather and temperature swings, many of us depend on our homes to keep us warm, healthy and happy. Your home is trying to do its part, but there may be good days and bad days. If your […]