If your baby has asthma, it can
be heartbreaking to watch them struggle for air. Minimizing these episodes has
to be at the top of your list when caring for your child. An air purifier with
the following 5 features can help your baby and you breathe easier.
HEPA Filtration - All indoor
spaces have airborne particles that are impossible to prevent, but that can be
minimized by using high efficiency particle arresting (HEPA) filters. Designed
to remove particles as small as.3 microns in size, they can eliminate dust,
dust mites, mold and mildew spores, pet dander, as well as bacteria and viruses
that cling to these particles.
Even though these particles are
typical of most indoor air, babies' respiratory systems are not fully
developed. Clearing the air of these pollutants (especially dust mites) can
make it easier for your baby to breathe.
Carbon Cloth Filter - This type
of filter was originally developed by the British Military as a defense against
chemical warfare. It is excellent at removing gases, odors, and noxious
chemicals.
You may think you don't have
anything like that in baby's room. And you certainly wouldn't knowingly
introduce these pollutants to the air. But if you have painted, wallpapered,
bought new furniture or bedding, put in new carpet it is very likely that many
of these products are off-gassing chemicals.
Fumes that adults may not be
aware of may be too much for newly developing lungs to handle. Taking them out
before they can cause problems is the advantage of having this type of filter
working for you.
24 Hour Operation - Airborne
pollutants are always in the air and a cleaner that run all the time is the
best way to minimize the amount in the air. Continually reducing those means
that they are less likely to accumulate to a level that would cause breathing
problems for your child.
A split capacitor motor allows
for continuous filtration that is safe and effective. Look for this feature in
the technical specifications or owner's manual, and don't put it in your
nursery unless it has this type of motor.
360 Degree Intake - Who care
about this you may ask. A cleaner that can work effectively when placed as close
as 6 inches from any surface is a huge advantage in terms of placement in the
nursery. This means the unit can be close to the wall to limit cord exposure.
It also means that you get to place in the most convenient place rather than
having to place it in the middle of the room as some other cleaners require.
Low Maintenance - Probably the
most important part of low maintenance is that it means less interruption in
filtration. Avoid cleaners that require you to unplug them and go inside to
wash, vacuum, spray, or recharge anything.
Each time you have to perform
maintenance like this, your child's air is not being cleaned which means
pollutants can build to levels that can cause problems. Instead opt for a
purifier that only needs to be vacuumed on the outside while it continues to
run, and has a filter life of 5 years or more. That qualifies as low
maintenance at its best.
