With cooler weather in the not-so-distant future, many homeowners will begin buttoning up their homes and turning on the heat in order to keep things comfortable and cozy inside. 

As we start to spend more time indoors during the cold-weather months, it's important to make sure our indoor air quality is up to snuff. According to Family Features, the average American spends 90% of their time indoors, and good air quality is something most of us take for granted. Since the pandemic, however, many have become more concerned about indoor air quality and more aware of a variety of pollutants we may be exposed to, such as dust mites, mold spores, pet dander and chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs). On top of this, allergy triggers like pollen, smoke and ozone can leak indoors from outside, and family members can also carry allergens in on their clothes and shoes.

The good news is, there are certain steps you can take to improve and safeguard your indoor air quality. Consider the following suggestions from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Increase ventilation. Ventilating your home from time to time makes it less likely allergens can accumulate and cause harm. Let fresh air into your home regularly by opening the windows.
You can also use mechanical ventilation, like electric or ceiling fans, to increase air circulation in your home, especially when you don't want to open windows, or in addition to opening windows.
Additionally, if you need to paint an item, do it outside whenever possible. Also keep windows open when using harsh cleaning products.

Source control. Source control is the most effective way to reduce indoor allergens in your home, according to the EPA. To reduce indoor allergens at the source, choose flooring that contributes to better indoor air quality and contains as few chemicals of concern as possible. Look for the third-party FloorScore, which certifies hard surface flooring, adhesives and underlayments for low levels of VOCs and other chemicals of concern.

Clean the Air. Air purifiers are a simple way to filter indoor air without too much extra effort. These devices combine an internal filter and fan to capture airborne particles from pet dander, pollen and dust, circulating purified air back into the room. The EPA recommends air purifiers with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Look for certified asthma- and allergy-friendly air purifiers to help minimize triggers of asthma and allergy. Remember to change filters regularly for best performance.