Merck initiated a “Build Smart, Breathe Easier” campaign; purpose of this campaign is to create people awareness among people about the importance of “asthma-healthy home”. Efforts of Merck are supported by Habitat for Humanity, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and HGTV personality and carpenter Carter Oosterhouse. Habitat for Humanity and Merck Fight Asthma, Larry Gluth senior vice president of U.S. and Canada for Habitat for Humanity said, “At Habitat for Humanity, our mission is to provide simple, decent and affordable shelter in partnership with low-income families, we are excited to partner on Build Smart, Breathe Easier to complement our mission and help improve the lives of our partnering families.”

Tips to Create and Maintain Asthma Healthy Home

Once people with asthma trim down their contact to triggers, it is imperative for them to endeavor to keep up an asthma-healthy home with habitual clearing and protection from the triggers. Asthma triggers are present in our houses in different forms come of the common one are dust mites, mold, pet dander, rodents, pollen, sprays, fumes, tobacco smoke and sharp smells of perfumes. While constructing a home, use of asthma healthy material helps to reduce the effect of asthma triggers like particular home furnishing and cleaning supplies.

1. Select hard surface flooring like wood, vinyl and linoleum and avoid use of carpets because carpets and rugs absorbs the dust and the dust particles can accelerate the allergic reaction in victims and non victims too.
2. Use paint with least VOC levels in order to reduce the impact of fumes on the asthma patients.
3. Avoid the condensation on the doors and windows especially and prevent the growth of mildew.
4. Use high quality central heating and cooling systems as well as proper ventilation system.
5. If there is any asthma patient in your home, keep the pets away from furniture, sofa and beds because their hairs can act as asthma triggers.
   

Carter Oosterhouse from HGTV said “A house built with materials that are easy to clean and less likely to contain irritants, such as hard-surface floors or non-toxic paint, may have a positive impact on a family, especially one dealing with asthma, I am excited to be a part of this program which will help build sustainable homes with asthma-friendly features in partnership with low income families and will also educate about simple ways to try to reduce and avoid common household asthma triggers.”

The author writes articles on diseases and conditions, asthma related topics carter oosterhouse from HGTV and habitat for humanity and merck fight asthma.