The Colorado lifestyle comes with so many advantages, but there is a common discomfort we all must deal with—Colorado’s dry climate! While some suffer with year round symptoms, once winter hits our skin itches, eyes bloodshot, and sinus cavities swell up. The drug stores provide temporary relief with lotions, eye drops, and nasal sprays galore, but the greatest mystery to solve is how to establish comfortable and safe humidity levels in our homes. One of the most common solutions is to setup humidifiers in rooms throughout your home, but have you ever considered that running your humidifier could have negative health implications?

According to the CPSC, bacteria and fungi often grow in the tanks of portable and whole-house console humidifiers, and these microbial growths can be released in the mist. Breathing dirty mist may cause lung problems ranging from flu-like symptoms to serious infections. The real question here is how can we understand how to properly use our humidifiers, so we can survive the long winter?

The first thing we must understand is why it is so important to maintain the proper humidity levels in your home. Darcy Logan, writer of DoItYourself.com states, low humidity or lack of moisture means the air in your house will be dry. Without proper moisture, you open yourself up to all the pains that come with dry air. Darcy suggests using a hygrometer to test the level of humidity in your home. But keep in mind that basements are generally going to have higher humidity levels, as are bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. Indoor humidity levels should be around 30 to 50 percent, with the perfect level touching around 45 percent. Once you establish your home’s relative humidity levels, you can then decide if you need to invest in a humidifier system and how you can properly maintain the humidifier for your home.