Choose Your Christmas Tree Wisely

Some people put up their Christmas trees as early as October and take them down as late as February. Granted, trees left up this long are generally of the artificial variety, but many people like the authenticity of a real tree. If you choose a real Christmas tree for your home, you should be aware of a few things that can have an impact on your household.

Studies have shown that having a live tree in your home can significantly increase the amount of mold in the house. The average home has approximately 500 to 700 mold spores per cubic meter; a live tree can increase this number to over 5,000 mold spores per cubic meter. The increase in mold spores can trigger asthma and other respiratory issues as well as a condition known as Christmas Tree Syndrome. This is a type of allergy that many people don’t even know they have. They often tend to think it’s a weather-related condition. The most common symptoms include:

Coughing

Itchy, watery eyes

Hives/rash

Wheezing

Chest pain

Itchy, runny nose

Lethargy

Headache

Insomnia

It is basically an allergic reaction to the abundance of mold spores and residual pollen in the air due to the presence of the live treat. If you have a real Christmas tree in your home for any period of time, using a humidifier will help keep the air clean and keep the mold content down.

If you are planning to keep your tree up for longer than a week or so, it is highly recommended that you choose an artificial Christmas tree (https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/blog/christmas-tree-allergy).

If you choose an artificial tree, you will need to store it properly after the holidays to avoid allergy-related issues next year. Since artificial trees can collect dust, mold spores, and other types of irritants while they are on display, your tree will need to be wiped down thoroughly before being stored away. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe down your tree and any other decorations that will be stored along with it, such as lights. Follow suit with all Christmas decorations in order to have everything clean, allergen-free, and ready to make your home festive come next Christmas.

Store your tree in an airtight plastic bin or plastic bags secured around the tree. Do not store it in the cardboard box you purchased it in. Cardboard holds moisture and promotes the growth of mold and other types of allergens. Once your tree is correctly stored, place it in a humidity-controlled area in your home to protect it further. For example, place a dehumidifier in your basement or attic.

Get the Kids Involved with Decorating

Keep the kids busy and entertained during Christmas vacation. Pre-plan a different craft project for each day leading up to Christmas Eve. Check out YouTube videos for some age-appropriate ideas. Set aside a room or a specific area and designate it as their holiday workshop. Keep all craft supplies in a tote in this area. Cover a table with a cheap holiday-themed table cover or secure festive wrapping paper on top. They will stay busy and have fun, and you will end up with some great holiday keepsakes.

Make Sure Your Home Will be Warm and Inviting

If you haven’t already had it done for the winter season, call Pickerington Heating and Cooling to schedule your annual HVAC maintenance inspection and professional cleaning. You can relax and feel confident knowing that your heating system is in perfect working order and that the air circulating throughout your home is clean and free of dust, debris, and other pollutants.

Give Your Furnace a Break for the Holidays

Show your furnace some love by letting it have some time off for Christmas. There’s nothing more festive than a warm, crackling fire dancing in your fireplace. Don’t have a fireplace? Buy one of the beautiful electric heaters that look just like a fireplace. Either one will give your home a traditional holiday feel, keep your home cozy and warm and allow you to turn your furnace down for a while.

From all of us here at Pickerington Heating & Cooling to all of our valued customers, we want to wish you and your loved ones the happiest of holidays. If you need an HVAC inspection and cleaning to get your home holiday-ready or for any other HVAC needs, give us a call at 614-837-4026 or visit us on the web at www.pickheat.com/appointments/. We are at your service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.