Both the changing seasons and Holiday traditions can pose challenges for asthmatics, but there are a few small adjustments you can make to breathe easy during the Holidays.

Mold is an asthma trigger to watch out for in the winter. Wet leaves and fireplace logs are two common offenders for generating mold. To reduce your contact with mold, keep wet leaves away from your home’s foundation, windows and doors. Leave logs outside until you need them to reduce the amount of mold that takes up residence indoors.

Scented Holiday candles, air fresheners, and live Christmas trees can also be asthma triggers. An artificial tree is a great alternative to a live tree, but if live trees are a tradition, you can make a few adjustments to avoid an asthma attack. When you’re tree shopping, avoid purchasing a tree that has a yellow dusting of pollen. Once you bring the tree home, wipe the trunk with a diluted bleach and water solution (20 parts water to one part bleach) to get rid of mold.

When you venture outside, layer up to prevent an attack brought on by cold air entering your lungs. Cover your nose and mouth with a scarf for an extra barrier against the cold.

For more on managing indoor air quality, keeping humidity levels in check, and how to filter particulates, check out our post on indoor air quality.