Fight Allergies with a Healthy Home

Fight Allergies with a Healthy Home

A well-ventilated house with circulating fresh air is a powerful weapon in the fight against allergies.

In the past 10 years New Zealand has experienced a five-fold increase in people suffering from allergies, says Allergy New Zealand. The alarming statistic is further exacerbated by a lack of public health immunologists, particularly in the South Island. With only 10 such specialists nationwide, none are based south of Wellington.

While food allergies are the most life-threatening, airborne allergies can also have a serious effect on people’s day-to-day wellbeing, particularly in the winter months. After a long, hot summer, the ills and chills of winter are easily forgotten. But how many school or work days or special events were missed in Kiwi households last winter because of allergies?

With the cold season just around the corner, it’s time to prepare a healthy home for your family.

DVS Managing Director Tony Sandes has nearly 20 years’ industry experience and has seen first-hand the benefits a healthy home can bring to those living with asthma and allergies.

“When you control excess moisture and condensation in the home, you significantly reduce dust mites, mould and mildew - all well-known asthma and allergy triggers,” says Sandes.

“Dust mites and fungal spores thrive in warm, humid places so one of the best ways to protect against this type of allergen is to make the home drier. When you consider a typical household will produce about 12 litres of water per day from cooking, showering, and just living, it’s easy to see it takes more than the occasional opening of a few windows to dry out a home,” says Sandes.

Traditionally, New Zealand’s approach to home health has been single room heating and opening the windows for ventilation. Compared to countries with similar climates, Kiwis have lower expectations for indoor comfort levels during the colder months. Fortunately, this mindset is rapidly changing and Sandes says more people now know a warm, dry home is essential for maintaining good health.

DVS systems, which are recognised by Asthma NZ, are the most effective way to reduce excess water vapour. They continuously push out the moisture-laden, stale air, replacing it with fresher, drier air. The air is filtered via the roof space before it enters the home, significantly reducing exposure to dust, pollen, plant spores and other inhaled triggers.

“Keeping your house ventilated and dry can significantly improve the environment for allergy and asthma sufferers, relieving their symptoms and helping to help reduce the number of sick days families experience each year,” says Sandes.

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