All 3 of my children have left home and gone off to college.
Two have graduated, and my youngest is finishing her degree. I mean, they've gotta get good jobs to support us in our old age. Haha.
Sending kids to college is a little different when you have kids with eczema, allergies, food allergies, or asthma.
Since the chemistry in our body tends to over react when we are around dust, mold, strong cleaning supplies, etc. My kids have to be more careful than the average college students.
A few things we looked for when my kids went to college:
Apartments without carpet
My daughter and her friend went apartment hunting. She was so excited to show us the apartment she found!
I recognized that carpet - from the 70's. It's a style and color they don't even make anymore. I mean, like totally rad! Can't believe we talked like that back in the 70's...
I was worried about her living in an old apartment (built in the 40's) with old carpet.
They could vacuum it, but what was under the carpet and inside the carpet pad?
HVAC system
How often does management change the air filters?
You don't know who lived there before, and what they did in the apartment.
Having a clean filter can help allergies and asthma.
Standing Air Purifiers
Each of my kids had an air purifier in their room growing up, and we bought a new one for their apartments.
Air purifiers can remove pollutants, dust, and other particles from the air.
EPA says that people spend 90% of their time indoors, and sometimes the air quality indoors can be worse than the air quality outside!
My kids also skip scented candles, incense, and other air freshners. Those can cover up smells - but add to bad indoor air quality.
Bathroom or kitchen fans
The best way to deal with mold is to prevent it. Using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom can help reduce moisture (how many of you shuddered when you read that word?)
I know people hate the word moisture, but nothing else works here!
Dehumidifier
If you live in a state with high humidity levels, you may need a dehumidifier to help take the moisture out of the air (there it is again!)
No shoes in the apartment
We have big wicker baskets by the front door where we kick off our shoes when we come in the house. Our kids do that in their apartments too.
Why?
Shoes can track in viruses, bacteria, dirt and other gross things.
Think about using a public bathroom with a germ covered floor......then walking through your house with all of that stuff on your shoes. Ugh.
What else did I miss?
What do you look for in an apartment for your child with allergies, food allergies and asthma?
Let me know!
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