10 Million Reasons To “Flip” (NAPSA)—From pulling out blankets, replacing smoke detector batteries, varying the decor and flipping mattresses, many people literally start “flipping” their home routines whenthe seasons change. Amongall of the flipping, the bedroom is often the place to start—changing out linens and preparing for the next season, and the host of allergens that each new season brings. Beds are usually thought of as a sanctuary—a safe haven for rest and rejuvenation. But if most people—particularly allergy sufferers—really knew what was lurking beneath the sheets, they might think of their bed as more ofa litter box than a sanctuary. Lying beneath the cleanest, most luxurious linens and inside the fluffiest pillows lurk microscopic allergy triggers, including dust mite droppings, pollen, fungal and mold spores and cat and dog dander. Trying to sleep among the estimated 10 million allergen particles found in an unprotected mattress can surely disrupt a person’s peaceful slumber. “While indoor allergies are yearround,it’s obvious that the effect of those allergens is increased significantly when seasonal allergies arrive and worsen symptomsalto- gether,” says Dr. Clifford Bassett, allergy expert and assistant clini- cal professor of medicine at Long Island College Hospital. “Protect- ing your pillow and mattress with allergen-filtration products such as Aller-Ease is one of the most important steps allergy and asthma sufferers can take to minimize their symptoms. For maximum allergy relief, it is critical to build a complete allergen-filtration bedding system that protects pillows, mattresses and box springs.” Whether you suffer from aller- gies or not, the allergens inside micron 4/100,000 of an inch 80-100 . microns 250-300 microns oN . @Q Lying beneath the cleanest, most luxurious linens lurk microscopic allergy triggers. the typical pillow and mattress are not what most people would want to breathe. But for allergy and asthmasufferers, the problem is even moresevere. With these simple yet effective changes, you can keep allergens in check in the bedroom: e Encase your mattress, box spring and pillowsin highly effec- tive allergen barrier covers, such as Aller-Ease protective bedding products. Wash bed linens weekly in 130-degree Fahrenheit water. Consider traveling with your pillow protector to help minimize symptoms in hotels or while on the road. Remove dust-collecting clut- ter from the bedroom and other areas of your home. Place nonwashable plush toys in a resealable plastic bag and put them in the freezer for three to five hours every weekto kill dust mites. Furnace filters should be changed frequently during allergy seasons. Use a low-cost home hygrom- eter to help keep humidity below 50 percent, as dust mites thrive in higher-humidity environments. Use easy-to-clean hardwood, tile or linoleum flooring instead of carpeting. e If you have carpeting, use a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter to reduce airborne dust. Shampoo hair nightly and change clothes before entering the bedroom to avoid transferring out- door pollens into your bedroom.
