Allergies? Watch for Fallen Leaves

Fall leaves with their dozens of vibrant colors are a beautiful and welcomed sight every autumn. But what happens once they hit the ground? Believe it or not, terrible things happen if you are an allergy sufferer. If your allergies are acting up this fall, the foliage collecting on the ground could be the problem. 

Piles of Moist Leaves Create Mold & Mildew
Piles of fallen leaves on the ground collect moisture. The warmth of the sun heats these piles making a great place for mold and mildew to grow. This mold and mildew is picked up by your shoes and pants when trudging through the leaves and enters your house. 

Leaves Collect Dust & Pollen
The piles that don’t get wet, or that dry quickly after a rain can collect irritants such as ragweed pollen or dust. When stirred up in a fall breeze, these can really cause your allergies to act up. Dispose of leaf piles if you can, and avoid walking through them when you can.

Keep Allergens at Bay in Your Home 
When you get home, all of the allergens you picked up on your shoes and pants are still with you. Try to get into the habit of leaving your shoes at the door to keep from tracking allergens throughout your home, especially if you have carpet. Leave coats close to the door too for the same reason. If your allergies are particularly bad or if it’s a very windy day, you may consider changing clothes or even showering when you get home.  

Help your home filter out the pollen, dust, and mold that does make its way in by changing your furnace filter at least once every three months or more often if you’re struggling with allergy issues. Consider additional measures to improve your indoor air quality like installing an air cleaner. We can help with that. 

If you’re having trouble breathing comfortably in your home, we can help. Contact Getzschman Heating and Air Conditioning at 402-554-1110 to find out which air quality solutions are best for you.