World Asthma Day, observed May 5th during Asthma Awareness Month, highlights a significant health issue facing many American families. Currently, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 22 million Americans, including 6.5 million children, suffer from asthma. This respiratory disease not only results in over 2 million ER visits each year but, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, accounts for $16 billion in healthcare expenditures and lost productivity.

Although there are various disease triggers, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) concur that the presence of pests, notably cockroaches and rodents, is a leading trigger, especially in children.

The EPA's estimates that Americans spend 90% of their time indoors, it is imperative for homeowners to recognize the health threats associated with pests in prompting asthma attacks, We fully support the EPA in its effort to raise awareness of asthma triggers, therefore we have put together a Healthy Home Guide to help you reduce your exposure to allergy and asthma triggers.

Healthy Home choices:  When making purchases for your home, there are sensitive choices you can make if you have allergies or asthma.  The Asthma and Allergy Foundation has developed a program to certify asthma & allergy friendly products, which they have determined to be more suitable for people with asthma.  Selecting the right kind of items to put into your home can help reduce your exposure to the allergy and asthma triggers.