How to Protect Yourself from COVID Indoors
Discover the Best Tips and Air Purifiers to Reduce the Risk of Getting Covid When You’re Indoors
By Jaimie Hart
12 min read
This post has been updated to include current information on COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. For the most recent updates and recommendations related to COVID-19, we encourage you to consult the CDC’s website.
With the surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant – which seems more capable of evading our now routine protective measures – people are looking for additional ways to safeguard against the virus’s transmission. Doctors agree that air purifiers can significantly help you and your family stay protected.
The days of difficulties finding Lysol wipes, hand sanitizer, and even flour seem like a distant memory. We now realize that people could benefit from portable air purifiers. An air purifier will save you some stress during your busy life, and there are many factors to consider when choosing the best product for your home.
The Threat of the Indoors
Going on a hike or playing in the backyard with the kids has been a safe and needed escape during the pandemic. When outdoor air temperatures are falling in the North, it’s back to finding creative things to do indoors while quarantined. This confined space also comes with a larger threat of the transmission of coronavirus.
Research has shown that COVID and its Delta Variant can spread in numerous ways. This may include the transmission from:
- Airborne particles (short and long-range)
- Droplets
- Contaminated surfaces
- Coughing
- Sneezing
You may be going to the grocery store, having kids come home from school, or even live with someone who’s working on the front line. So how do you know that you’re coming home to a safe and clean space and assure that it stays protected from the virus? You can remain diligent with your Lysol and sanitizing and save some manual labor and let an air purifier provide additional protection to your home.
Your home is an oasis, and it can also be the safest place to be during the pandemic if you’re only socializing with your family and household. Social distancing and staying indoors may be all the relief you need. However, others who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, have to leave home for school or work, or have health risks may want to take advantage of an air purifier to reduce contracting the virus or spreading it.
AlenWays To Protect Yourself From COVID
Wear a Mask – The CDC provides that masks significantly help you reduce the spread of COVID-19. Masks offer some protection from getting the virus from someone you come in contact with, as well as protecting others from getting it if you’re infected unknowingly.
Practice Social Distancing – Staying six feet apart helps to eliminate the chances of spreading harmful viruses and bacteria. Avoiding large crowds also limits your risk of getting coronavirus, so you should avoid compact indoor spaces and stay in well-ventilated areas. The more people you are in contact with, the higher the risk of being exposed to COVID.
Wash and Sanitize Your Hands Frequently – Clean hands prevent germs from spreading and infections. Bacteria and viruses can quickly spread from touching your face and contaminating food, surfaces, and other objects. Try teaching your kids the “vampire cough” and wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. It would help if you also used a hand sanitizer that has at least 60 percent alcohol.
Use an Air Purifier – Air purifiers help reduce any airborne particles and contaminants in the air. This includes viruses that can exist in your home. Combining an air purifier with your existing cleaning regimen can give you the peace of mind you so desperately need during the pandemic and these changing seasons.
So how do air purifiers help with COVID? When someone coughs or sneezes, these particles get into the air. The worst fear is that you may have somehow been exposed to COVID-19 and can inadvertently release the virus into the air. The HEPA-13 filter in an air purifier can eliminate large amounts of the virus if this were to happen.
A HEPA-13’s filter range for capturing harmful bacteria and air particles does include the coronavirus. It’s in the lower range, but it still provides excellent added protection for you and your family. If you get in the habit of running your air purifier consistently in your home, it can disable 99.94 to 99.97% of viruses.
Finding the Best Air Purifier
With an increasing number of air purifiers on the market now, how do you pick the right one to protect you and your family from COVID? A quality air purifier will trap any harmful viruses and harmful air particles while sanitizing the air around you. No air purifier can market itself as completely protecting you from coronavirus, so remember, this is an added protective measure.
Air purifiers can have different specifications, and they have processes for deactivating pathogens and other airborne toxins. Some can also expertly reduce pet hair, dander, and allergy symptoms. Many air purifiers include the following methods:
- Use ultraviolet light to sterilize and kill mold and bacteria.
- Use electrostatic filters to draw in particles to metal plates.
- Rely on a combination of the methods to trap and eliminate the most bacteria, particles, and gases as possible.
You should also specifically look at how many square feet of coverage an air purifier offers. It’s essential to make sure it covers the size of your room or living space. It’s a bonus if a product includes a lifetime warranty and comprehensive purifying features. Learn about the leading air purifiers to help reduce your COVID stress and protect your home:
IQAirBest Air Purifiers for COVID Protection
There are many reputable air purifier brands to choose from, and there are some products that have excellent features to help protect your home from the coronavirus. These products include a high-range HEPA filter and cover large spaces. They’re highly recommended for anyone eager to have added protection in your home in regards to COVID.
Protect Yourself From Coronavirus
You’ll have extra peace of mind knowing that you and your family are more protected from COVID-19 with an air purifier. Guests can also feel relieved knowing there’s additional protection in your home, including caregivers who may be afraid of putting themselves at risk. If you follow the CDC guidelines and add an air purifier to your home, you can rest easy this Winter in a virus-free home.
Are you interested in exploring more air purifiers and finding one that’s right for you? Check out the best home air purifiers and reviews at AirPurifiers.com.
Summary Checklist
- Wear a mask
- Preactice social distancing
- Wash your hands
- Look for certified true HEPA filters
- Check for a limited warranty
- Find an air purifier that includes an ionizer and/or UV light
- Double-check the product’s dimensions to make sure it fits in your living space
- Look for an air purifier that weighs 30 pounds or less if you plan on transporting or maneuvering it often
- Find an air purifier with a large coverage area to protect your entire living space
