You may notice that during the late summer and early fall, your allergies start to act up a bit. That’s because some of the culprits that cause fall allergies make their appearance as early as late August. That can make for a very long allergy season – and nobody wants to deal with sneezing, itchy eyes, and a stuffy nose any longer than they have to. So, what might be causing your allergies to be on the uptick?
Usually, here on Long Island, we need to look no further than ragweed. This abundant wild plant is responsible for the majority of late summer and fall allergies. And, avoiding the pollen it emits is difficult. Even in areas where ragweed doesn’t grow, allergy sufferers should be on the lookout – the pollen can travel hundreds of miles. Another common cause of late summer and fall allergies is mold. Why is that a problem? Leaves that fall from trees are a perfect breeding ground for it because it thrives in cool, damp places.
What can I do about indoor air quality if I suffer from allergies?
Well, we aren’t physicians, so we can’t provide you with any medical advice when it comes to your allergies. But we are home comfort doctors of sorts – and that means we can help you get equipment for your home that can reduce allergens and make your indoor air cleaner and fresher. These five practical pointers can help you keep allergens at bay in your home:
- Keep windows and doors closed in the morning, as that’s when pollen counts are generally at their highest.
- Make sure floors are swept, mopped, or vacuumed regularly. Carpets especially can hold allergens, so clean them regularly.
- Change your HVAC system’s filter. Filters keep contaminants from entering the air of your home, but if they get dirty, they’re not effective.
- Choose a high-efficiency filter. We can provide you with the same type of air filters used in hospital operating rooms.
- Consider installing an air purification system. If you have allergies or other respiratory concerns, a whole-home air purifier can be very helpful. That’s because these systems are designed to reduce all areas of indoor air pollutants, including particulates, microbial particles, and gases.
At T.F. O’Brien, we’re happy to help you with your indoor air quality needs.
Don’t let your allergies get the best of you this year – just call T.F. O’Brien at 516.488.1800. We can’t wait to tell you about the many ways you can breathe easier!
Many people in Long Island have been looking forward to getting back to the gym. One of the last businesses to reopen, gyms have been given a list of protocols that they must follow to open successfully. In addition to proper sanitization, mask-wearing, and social distancing rules, regulations, and considerations, the air handling systems in gyms are also subject to the new guidelines.
Ah… cool, comfortable air conditioning. Nothing feels better than coming inside out of the sweltering heat and relaxing in an air-conditioned home. But, if your air conditioning system doesn’t seem to be working properly this summer, it can provide more aggravation than relaxation for you and your family. Sometimes, people put off calling their HVAC contractor because they’re not sure if it’s just too hot for their AC to work properly. We can assure you that if you’re not comfortable, you should go with your gut and give us a call.
As our area of the state reopens, there are guidelines we as residents are required to follow. Mask-wearing, social distancing, and staying home if we’re not feeling well are all some of the ways the average citizen is responding to the COVID-19 crisis, but for businesses, some additional rules and guidelines must be followed.
Some Things to Know as We Cope With Covid-19 on Long Island
At T.F. O’Brien, you know we’re all about Irish pride. Our name says it all, as well as our annual Shamrock Savings event. We love St. Patrick’s Day, and sharing the love with you! Have you ever wondered where some of the traditions of the holiday come from?
Leprechauns: Leprechauns go all the way back to the 8th Century, and their beginnings are rooted in tales of water spirits known as luchorpán. These wee people were known for their love of imbibing, as well as shoe making. Legend has it that if you capture a leprechaun, they’ll grant you three wishes if you set them free.
Green Beer: According to 
Lucky Charms: Lucky Charms cereal came about in 1964, and was the first cereal to include marshmallows. Lucky the Leprechaun, the cereal’s mascot, has been there from the get-go, although he’s also been known as Sir Charms and L.C. Leprechaun over the years. The original marshmallow charms were pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars and green clovers.