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Video Transcript:

During your home assessment, be sure to

• ask the family if they have, or ever use a humidifier or a dehumidifier.

A quick explanation of these two units...
Humidifiers add moisture to dry air.
Dehumidifiers remove moisture from humid air.

If you see either a humidifier or dehumidifier in the home:

• discuss with the family their concerns about too much or too little moisture,
• discuss how frequently the unit is cleaned, and
• ask if the manufacturers instructions for cleaning are followed.

In general, humidifiers are not recommended in homes of people with asthma who are sensitive to dust mites or mold.

But if a family member decides to use a humidifier, indoor relative humidity should be maintained between 30-50 percent.

Dehumidifiers can be recommended as a means to remove moisture from the air when moisture levels in the home are high.