✓ Humidifiers and dehumidifiers: guide to use when there is a child in the house

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To keep the domestic rooms not too humid but not too dry and thus contribute to making the air in the home healthier, they come to our aid. humidifiers and dehumidifiers, friendly tools for every parent who wants to protect the airways of their children from attacks by bacteria and viruses. These devices, now widespread, are on sale in various models and for price ranges suitable for all budgets. How, then, to choose the most suitable tool to optimize the air in your home making it responsible for use? We talk about it with Giorgio Piacentini, president of the Del Paesena Society for respiratory diseases in children (Simri) and full professor of Pediatrics at the University of Verona.

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Why use the dehumidifier and humidifier

"Monitor i humidity levels of domestic environments is important for the health of the whole family - Piacentini explains -: a room that is too humid and not adequately ventilated facilitates the proliferation of molds and mites, respiratory allergens that are dangerous in the case of asthma and allergies. Mites, for example, develop in environments where the percentage of humidity exceeds 50-60%. But it is not only a very humid environment that is potentially harmful: forms of tracheitis and in general irritations of the airways occur more easily in a particularly dry room ".

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Dehumidifier and humidifier, the differences

dehumidifiers: to reduce humidity within favorable parameters, both in winter (40%) and in summer (55%)
humidifiers: to restore suitable humidity, especially in winter with radiators on

But when to use one and when to prefer the other? "The dehumidifiers they are indicated when it is necessary to reduce a level of air humidity in confined spaces within parameters that we can consider favorable, ie between 40% humidity in the cold season and 55% in summer ". In many homes there are now air conditioning systems which also allow a dehumidifying action: the water is condensed and collected without altering the temperature of the rooms.

"The humidifiers instead they allow to re-establish a suitable percentage of humidity when the environment is very dry: this can occur especially in winter, when radiators or other heating systems are in operation. Their use could in some cases be a support to combat sore throats or airway disorders and irritations favored by an environment in which the relative humidity level of the air is particularly low ".

Read also: Air conditioning and children, tips for correct use

Dehumidifier and humidifier, when to use them and how to do maintenance

The use of these devices does not have a specific seasonality. "Much depends on the environmental conditions or the exposure of the apartment - continues the president of Simri -: the humidity present in a house built in the 70s will be different from what can be detected in a new building in which it is the aspect relating to air changes has been taken care of ".

Then be careful to do the adequate cleaning operations: "Even some more recent habits have an impact on reducing the relative humidity level of the environments where we live: the air conditioning switched on in summer, for example, can help reduce the excess of ambient humidity. In this regard, the need must always be considered. correct maintenance: poor or poor cleaning of the air conditioning filters or the humidifier tray is the cause of possible infections affecting the airways. In fact, an air conditioning and dehumidifier system that is used only in summer tends to accumulate a quantity of dust and bacteria that will be put back into circulation and breathed into the house once the device is switched on ".

Read also: How to improve the air quality in the home for children, 8 useful tips

Baby humidifiers, which products to use?

Simple and clear rules: no to chemical scented essences and yes to correct and constant hygiene. "When it is necessary to use a humidifier in the baby's room because the environment is actually too dry - explains Piacentini -, it is important not to use potentially harmful chemicals such as, for example, some perfumed essences. periodically sanitize the container ".

Before purchasing, consult your pediatrician

Useful tools therefore, but to be purchased after consulting an expert: "First of all, it is the frequent air exchange and careful hygiene of the rooms that make the home environment healthy" - Piacentini explains -. "Should it be necessary to purchase an appliance for humidification or for dehumidification of the air, families have several ways to inform themselves appropriately before deciding and choosing the most suitable model for their home and the pediatrician it is certainly the first point of reference for a consultation regarding the health aspects of one's children. Our Scientific Society, with its widespread presence on the territory, is able to offer specific support: throughout the country there are centers specialized in pediatric pulmonology connected to Simri and its working groups and which are available to patients and public, for any information ".

Questions and answers

Why is it important to monitor the humidity levels in the home?

A room that is too humid and not adequately ventilated facilitates the proliferation of molds and mites, dangerous respiratory allergens in the case of asthma and allergies.