Back to School: Why Air Cleaners are an Essential Tool for a Healthy Classroom

Pencils are sharpened and backpacks are filled. School is back in session, and teachers, students, and parents are hopeful for the best year yet! In addition to those long lists of school supplies, there’s one often-overlooked tool that should be on every classroom’s checklist: a portable air cleaner.  While most people are aware that outdoor … Continue reading "Back to School: Why Air Cleaners are an Essential Tool for a Healthy Classroom"

Your Indoor Air Quality Checklist: College Edition

Amid the busyness of packing, moving and preparing for the fall semester, it’s understandable if you haven’t thought much about the indoor air quality (IAQ) in your college student’s dorm. But the move to college can expose students to a number of potential indoor air quality issues. The start of the fall semester coincides with … Continue reading "Your Indoor Air Quality Checklist: College Edition"

Using an Air Cleaner to Manage Wildfire Smoke

During wildfire season, many people in areas affected by smoke use air cleaners (sometimes called air purifiers) to improve the air quality in their homes. How an air cleaner is maintained and operated can affect its performance. If you are using an air cleaner to manage wildfire smoke, take these steps to ensure that your … Continue reading "Using an Air Cleaner to Manage Wildfire Smoke"

You’re getting warmer: How to choose the right air conditioner

It’s easy to forget what a heat wave feels like until it happens. However, you’re already behind the cooling curve if you wait until temperatures approach triple digits to shop for an air conditioner. It’s best to plan when temperatures are still cool, but the principles of choosing the best air conditioner stay the same … Continue reading "You’re getting warmer: How to choose the right air conditioner"

Post-flood Appliance Safety and Cleanup Tips

If you are anticipating flooding in your area, it is important to know how to safely handle appliances that have been in a flooded home. Flooding can cause serious damage to appliances and make them hazardous to operate, even if they look normal. If your home has been flooded or you are expecting flooding, follow … Continue reading "Post-flood Appliance Safety and Cleanup Tips"

Storm Prep: How to keep frozen and refrigerated food safe

If you’re preparing for a major storm, stocking up on enough food and water should be part of your plan. You also need to have a plan to keep your food safe to eat during and in the wake of the storm, especially if you lose power. Eating food that hasn’t been stored properly can … Continue reading "Storm Prep: How to keep frozen and refrigerated food safe"

Food Safety Tips for a Power Outage

Summer comes with the threat of hurricanes and other serious storms. It is important to have a plan in place to keep your food safe to eat should your home lose power. Follow these tips from the USDA to prepare before the storm hits: A fully packed, free-standing freezer (that has remained closed) will stay … Continue reading "Food Safety Tips for a Power Outage"

Bring New Culture to Your Kitchen on July 4: Advice from a Professional Chef

What is on your Independence Day menu this year? Of course, you can go with the traditional hot dogs and hamburgers, cooked on an outdoor grill. Holidays have a way of triggering cravings for those familiar favorites. But maybe this is the year you try something different, a new dish, or a twist on the … Continue reading "Bring New Culture to Your Kitchen on July 4: Advice from a Professional Chef"

Advice for Safe Installation of a Room Air Conditioner

In times of extreme heat, air conditioning can quickly transform from a matter of comfort to a matter of health and safety. Millions rely on room air conditioners (aka “window units”) and portable air conditioners either as their primary means of staying cool or to supplement central air conditioning.   Both room and portable air conditioners … Continue reading "Advice for Safe Installation of a Room Air Conditioner"

6 Tips to Maximize Air Conditioner Performance

Large parts of the U.S. and Canada are facing excessive heat warnings this week. During times of extreme heat, a well-maintained, properly functioning air conditioner can be your home’s most important appliance. If you are relying on a portable or room air conditioner to make the summer heat more manageable, follow these six use and … Continue reading "6 Tips to Maximize Air Conditioner Performance"