THE IMPORTANCE OF SPRING CLEANING YOUR UTILITY ROOM Don’t Forget to Clean the Heart of Your Home
In addition to changing the air filter, it’s important to schedule a routine inspection of your home’s HVAC system. This includes an inspection of the appliances themselves and any connecting ducts. Dust, dander, and mold can accumulate in the ducts and spread throughout the home, which can lead to health issues, including respiratory problems. A routine inspection will identify potential problems in your HVAC system. On top of that, you can get these systems professionally cleaned and maintained. These are simple steps that will keep your home’s air systems running smoothly for years to come. Plus, you’ll be ready for the summer months ahead!
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR AIR FILTER?
• Homes with minimal foot traffic (single or double occupancy) and no pets or allergies: six to 12 months. • Family homes (three or more occupants) with no pets or allergies: three to six months. • Family homes with at least one pet or minor allergies: two to three months. • Family homes with multiple pets or allergies: one to two months.
HOW TO USE HEAT AND ICE TREATMENT CORRECTLY
Avoid Further Injury
ICE After an acute injury, it’s important to treat the area with a bag of ice, an ice pack, an ice massage, or any other cooling method for no longer than 20 minutes. Icing will decrease blood flow to the area, which will then decrease any swelling your injury may have caused. The ice will also create a numbing sensation around the area, helping to reduce pain and even prevent muscle spasms. BOTH When you have a chronic injury, you can apply both treatments to ensure you don’t make the injury worse. For example, if you’re about to work out, you should use heat on the area. Warmth will increase blood flow and flexibility. After your workout, icing it for a few minutes can decrease the likelihood of swelling and pain you might experience later. Using heat or cooling treatments can reduce your chances of injuring yourself even further. Knowing when you should and shouldn’t apply the different methods can help your injury heal faster and prevent continuing pain.
If you’ve ever been injured, then you’ve contemplated either applying heat or something cold to treat your ailment. Like many people, you might not know which one to go with. While both can be beneficial, the correct choice depends on what type of injury you have and when you’re applying treatment. An acute injury requires a different method of treatment than a chronic one. HEAT Heat is used to treat chronic injuries because it can help with sore muscles or joint pain. When heat is applied to the area in question, it causes your blood vessels to grow bigger as it raises your skin temperature. Heating pads, hot wet towels, or moist hot packs are ways to safely treat chronic injuries. Remember, contact should be no longer than 20 minutes and you should never apply heat treatments while you’re sleeping.
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