Are Air Purifiers Safe for Pets? Having pets are awesome. They entertain you, they provide companionship, and some of them even protect you. If they’re allowed inside, they also make for great cuddle buddies. But with all that cuteness, there’s the occasional price to pay. One of these downsides is smell. You know -- that musty cat-litter smell? That’s the last thing you want to encounter when you come home from a long day of work. The other, of course, is allergies. Even if you’re not actually allergic to pet hair or feathers, they can still aggravate your sinuses. When birds rub their feathers together, a fine dust is emitted that can give you a serious allergic reaction. Luckily there’s a solution for your cuddly, but stinky problem – an air purifier. Before you storm out and buy the first air purifier you see, you need to know about a few things that should influence your decision. One big no-no is purchasing a purifier that emits ozone. This can be deadly to your pet parakeet, parrot, or flying squirrel (we don’t judge what kind of pet you have).

An ozonator (also called an ionizer) is a type of air purifier that oxidizes and destroys bacteria, fungus, mold, viruses and mildew, and leaves pure oxygen in their place. Too much of this oxygen can be harmful to your bird, and according to , the FDA has set a limit of 50 parts per billion of ozone from electronic air cleaners. So if you have a feathery friend, it’s probably best to steer clear of anything with “ozone” or “ionize” in its name, or at least to consult your veterinarian before you fork over your hard-earned cash. Pet hair can also lead to a sneeze or two, but it’s not the hair itself that’s giving you trouble. Just like humans, animals shed dead skin cells, and these little buggers are what really wreak havoc on your sinuses. That’s where a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter can help you out. According to , a HEPA filter works by forcing air through a fine mesh that traps harmful particles, such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and tobacco smoke.

While avoiding the accidental death of your pets with an ionizer is an admirable step in the right direction, that’s only half the problem solved. Improving the air quality might address the allergy problem to an extent, but that odor is still lingering around the house, right? A carbon-based filter in your air purifier can absorb odors effectively, but if you have a severe urine-odor problem that could use a little more oomph, opting for an air purifier that has an additional carbon filter is the way to go. One air purifier that has just that is the Rabbit Air , which can be fitted with an extra Customized filter made specifically to deal with pet odors and allergens. Also, make sure that your air filter has the capacity to run 24 hours a day -- otherwise, you won’t be able to fully reap the filter’s benefits. So are air purifiers safe for pets? By doing your research, checking specifications thoroughly, and maybe having a chat with your vet, you can find the ideal air purifier to improve the air quality that you and your furry, feathery friends breathe in.

Maggie Marx is a writer from South Africa with a penchant for Labradors and hedgehogs.For every parent, the health and safety of their babies are their top priorities in life. Wrapping their babies in a security net, no matter how costly, is well worth it knowing that their baby is safe; this information is well established because they’ve checked the latest gadget that they bought from Babies R Safe and the last update 5 minutes ago read: “Normal Range.” air purifier for chronic coughSo when you come across an overzealous parent who owns the latest air purifier in the market that retails for more than what you would spend on your monthly car payment, is it worth it? fea air purifierThe answer may surprise you. oreck air purifier remote control

Should I Use an Air Purifier in My Baby's Room? Studies have shown that the air inside the home often contains higher concentrations of hazardous chemicals than air outside. High concentrations of chemicals within the home originate from cleaning products, smokers in the home, pets that shed fur and dander, and airborne chemicals, such as VOCs (volatile organic compound) and off-gassing from furniture and appliances. Children breathe in 50 percent more air per pound of body weight than adults do. That is why minimizing chemicals and toxins in your home is so important. With clean indoor air, common symptoms caused by indoor pollutants, such as itchy eyes, headaches, sore throat and dizziness can decrease. Of course, many steps can be taken to prevent indoor air pollution and decrease the need for an air purifier in the baby's room. There’s a baby in the house!Getting rid of carpeting that can trap dust, mold, and pretty much everything else you picked up from your hike around the block to the local farmer’s market.

Use “natural” products instead of harmful chemicals to clean your home. Lemon juice and baking soda anyone?Plants not only make lovely accents to a lonely table, but many clean the air of toxins and provide oxygen. How about a Chrysanthemum? They’re fun to say and come in a variety of colors. When Air Purifiers Can be Dangerous Some air purifiers, such as ozone generators, release ozone as a by-product, so after doing your research, if you find that an air purifier releases ozone, keep your feet moving. Ozone is a known respiratory irritant, and although it is safe when it is up in the sky protecting us from harmful UV Rays, down here, it can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, and throat irritation. Ozone can also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections. With Rabbit Air, you’ll never need to worry because our air purifiers do not generate any ozone*. A Safe Air Purifier Solution for Babies Having an air purifier in the home, especially one with a true HEPA filter and Charcoal Based Activated Carbon filter, like our Rabbit Air purifier, will filter and trap airborne particles and chemicals that can easily be inhaled by infants.