As peak season for the spread of respiratory viruses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV declines, there are still ways you can protect yourself against these diseases. Just last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that some simple strategies including good hygiene and improving ventilation can reduce the spread of viruses indoors. Click here to view the full CDC announcement.   

Ventilation is how well air moves into, out of, or within a room, allowing fresh air to enter and filtering out the air inside. According to the CDC, improving ventilation can reduce the number of viruses and other harmful particles in your home. Below is more information about improving ventilation indoors.    

Tip #1: Open doors and windows only if it is safe to do so. Even a small crack will allow fresh air in. The more windows or doors you can open, the better. Take special precautions if you have children, pets, or people in the home with asthma or other respiratory conditions. Also, check for poor air quality by checking your local Air Quality Index. Check out our article on Understanding Air Quality to learn more about Air Quality and what it means for you.  

Tip #2: Use fans to move air around in your home. Make sure they are close to open windows or doors, if possible, and make sure they are not pointed at people. If you can control your HVAC using a thermostat, set your fan to “on” instead of “auto” when you have visitors to keep the air moving.  

Tip #3: You can also filter the air currently in your home using your HVAC system. HVAC systems have filters that can work to remove viruses and particles from the air when installed correctly. Consider using pleated filters and replace your filter regularly according to manufacturer instructions.  

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