Tips for Reducing Asthma Triggers in Your Home
- Do not allow any smoke, like tobacco, candles, or incense, in the house or in your child’s bedroom.
- Eat only in the kitchen, clean up spills right away, and take out garbage daily so roaches and mice don’t come inside.
- Use unscented products for cleaning, no perfumes or air fresheners.
- Wash blankets, sheets, and pillowcases in hot water every week.
- Keep stuffed animals out of the bed or wash in hot water or freeze them for 24 hours every week.
- Vacuum once a week when your child is not in the room, using a double-layer bag or HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter.
Medications and Asthma Action Plan
Ask your primary care provider for an Asthma Action Plan and give a copy to everyone who cares for your child, including the school nurse. A written Asthma Action Plan lists the medications that your child should take every single day - these are controller or maintenance medications and you can find them in the green zone of the Asthma Action Plan. A written plan also tells you what do when your child is having asthma symptoms – you can find this information in the yellow and red zones of the Asthma Action Plan. Remember to keep the Asthma Action Plan in a place where the whole family can see it – like on the refrigerator.
Follow-Up Appointments
Your child should see her or his primary care provider every three months all year round for ongoing asthma care and planning. Remember to schedule these appointments in advance to talk about asthma and make sure your child stays healthy going into the next season.