Thanksgiving is a time to sit down with family and friends, enjoy good food and drink, and give thanks for the year past. But it’s also a time when people with airborne allergies or chemical sensitivities might be especially concerned about their health—and rightfully so.
You’re probably aware of common allergens, for example, pets or pollen, but what about sensitivities to VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or air fresheners? Some people are even immunocompromised and vulnerable to viruses and bacteria that can spread easily through close contact with other people.
We’ve got some tips on how to make sure your guests are comfortable and safe as they gather around your holiday dinner table.
Thanksgiving Guests May Have Pet Allergies
Allergies are often seasonal, but pets can also cause them. If you have a guest who’s allergic to pet dander (skin cells shed from animals), consider asking them if they’re okay with your fur-covered friend joining you all for the holiday festivities.
Better yet, Thanksgiving dinner may be the time to keep the dogs and cats in other rooms away from guests. It’s hard to do—considering pets are part of the family—but it’ll make Thanksgiving much more enjoyable for your guests.
Thanksgiving Guests May Have Chemical Sensitivities—VOCs, Air Fresheners, or Gas Stove Cooking
Another thing to be aware of is VOCs (volatile organic compounds). VOCs are found in many household products, including paint, cleaning products, and even some furniture. These VOCs are then released into the air.
Some guests might be sensitive to VOCs and experience symptoms such as headaches and nausea from them (especially if your guests have asthma or allergies).
Air fresheners can also make some people feel ill. Try to go for scent-free products if possible.
And as we mentioned in our last blog post, cooking with gas stoves produces several hazardous gases, such as carbon monoxide and formaldehyde, which some people are more sensitive to than others.
Thanksgiving Guests May Be Immunocompromised and More Susceptible to Viral or Bacterial Transmission
If you have friends or family with immunocompromised conditions, they may be more vulnerable to infection. The term immunocompromised refers to people with a weakened immune system that can’t fight off viruses or bacteria as well as a healthy immune system can.
Some common causes include…
- recent chemotherapy treatment for cancer
- HIV/AIDS
- other diseases that affect the immune system (such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis)
- chronic lung disease, such as emphysema
You should take extra precautions if any of your guests are immunocompromised. If a guest has an illness that compromises their immune system, it’s best not to have them in close contact with those who are sick. This includes young children who aren’t old enough for their vaccines.
A Simple Solution to All of the Above: Use a Good Air Purifier
Want to do everything you can to ensure no incidents pop up at your Thanksgiving gathering? Place an Austin Air purifier in the area people will gather.
The Austin Air HealthMate is perfect for families looking for protection from indoor air pollutants, especially during the holiday season.
The Medical-Grade HEPA technology is clinically proven to remove up to 99% of all airborne contaminants as small as 0.1 microns—including viruses, bacteria, dust, dander, and other allergens.
And up to 15 pounds of activated carbon together with zeolite will also effectively remove airborne VOCs, chemicals, gases, and odors.
Be prepared for the holiday season:
>>Purchase a HealthMate from Austin Air.
Conclusion
Let’s face it: who wants to be the reason someone got sick over the holidays … or had itchy eyes or nausea?
Thankfully, you can take some simple measures to make sure everyone enjoys their time with family and friends.
