The wait is over.  Part two of the Filters for Kids series is here, so you can breathe easy. Well, almost. We suggest that you first make sure the air around you is safe…

Filters for Kids, Part Two: The Stuff We Breathe In

In the last post, I addressed the issue of contaminated water sources in schools and the health risks they pose to children. But water contamination is not just an issue in schools. Parents should take measures to ensure clean water for their kids at home as well. And not just clean drinking water. Clean bath water is also essential to good health.

Many water treatment facilities use chlorine as a disinfectant for public water sources. Bathing in chlorinated water can cause dry skin and damaged hair as the water is absorbed through the skin.  Inhaling the vapors in the air during a shower can also lead to respiratory problems, including asthma, after long-term exposure. This is especially dangerous for young children whose immune systems aren’t as strong as adults’. Perhaps you already have chlorine shower filters installed in your bathrooms. But if your child is too young to shower on his own, does that mean he has to suffer?

Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater just yet.  The hand held Sprite shower filter for babies removes 99 percent of free chlorine, leaving skin soft and lungs healthy. It has an adapter that enables it to attach to the kitchen sink for newborn babies and infants, and as your child grows older, the Baby Shower easily connects to any shower arm with the enclosed bracket. Does your child prefer baths over showers? We’ve got that covered too. The Rainshow’r Crystal Ball Bath Dechlorinator removes up to 100 percent of free chlorine from bath water and is completely safe for infants.

Chlorinated water is not the only thing that increases the risk of respiratory problems. Asthma is common in young children who are exposed to air pollution on a regular basis. Dust, pollen, mold spores, smoke, pet dander and other irritants easily get trapped in homes, causing allergies and other problems after long-term exposure. Parents can ensure their children have access to clean air in the home with an air purifier. Both the Whirlpool Whispure and 3M Filtrete Ultra Quiet air purifier models are ideal for a baby’s nursery or a child’s bedroom.