Parents do everything in their power to make sure their children are safe, healthy, and secure. This includes making sure they eat right, go to good schools, and they are safe from harm. What most parents sometimes overlook is the quality of air their kids are exposed to, especially when traveling.
With summer family trips that require long-distance traveling, families are exposed to several enclosed areas, such as planes, cabs, boats, and hotels. Ensuring that kids are free from pollutants, bacteria, and viruses present in the air must be a top priority.
Fortunately, there are portable air purifiers available in the market that help to clean the air within your close proximity, eliminating the risks of pollutants and other hazards that might cause health problems in the family.
If you’ve never used an air purifier before, then you’ve come to the right place. This article will introduce you to what air purifiers are, how they can help, and why you should buy one for your next family summer trip.
What is a Portable Air Purifier?
A portable air purifier is a lightweight machine that works to clean the air in a room, or in your immediate environment. Pollutants, bacteria, and viruses can’t be seen by the naked eye, so children are left at the mercy of such allergens and health risks that could cause a variety of problems, such as allergies, respiratory problems, and even viral infections caused by viruses.
A portable air purifier cleans the air from these pollutants and viruses and releases clean air back into the room. They are lightweight and easy to carry, are often battery operated so they can be used anywhere, and are placed on a shelf or floor. You can also hold it on your lap if you’re in a plane, a cab, or on a boat.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Air purifiers work by filtering out airborne contaminants and clean the air in an enclosed space. These machines typically feature a filter and fan, which pulls contaminated air in, then purifies it through a filter to remove small airborne particles, then sends back cleaner air.
They remove common air pollutants and allergens such as dust mites, pollen, pet dander, bacteria, and viruses. They’re especially useful for small enclosed spaces, such as hotel room, in a cab, or in a plane.
What are the Benefits of a Portable Air Purifier?
Clean air is essential for the health of children. When exposed to air pollution, especially when the family is traveling to a major city, it can cause several health risks, such as respiratory problems, acquired allergies, and can even derail your summer vacation if your child gets sick.
And in recent times, with viruses such as COVID-19, making sure the air around your family is clean is crucial for a safe and healthy summer vacation. Here are some of the benefits of using a portable air purifier when you travel with your family:
1. Protects You Against Potential Viruses
The Center for Diseases Control states that poorly ventilated spaces increase the risk of virus transmission, such as the coronavirus. It can linger in the air and enclosed space such as a plane, boat, car, or hotel. An air purifier can be a helpful tool to use in confined indoor spaces because it improves air circulation, as well as filters out viruses, bacteria, and pollutants.
An air purifier with a HEPA filter is most ideal since the filter catches about 99.97% of airborne particles. Most commercial air purifiers can filter out at least 0.3 microns in size of these particles. While the coronavirus is at 0.125 microns, experts believe that when the virus is present in a respiratory droplet, such as when it is released through sneezing or coughing, the HEPA filter is enough to trap the droplets.
However, an air purifier must never be a substitute for a face mask, social distancing, and hand sanitizing. It is merely a supplement or a precautionary tool to prevent bacteria, pollutants, and viruses when you’re traveling.
2. Reduces Risk for Asthma or Allergies
An air purifier helps to reduce asthma attacks and allergic reactions because it cleans the air your children inhale. It can also reduce the risk of infections, hives, and more, helping you enjoy a stress-free and healthy summer vacation.
The Best Portable Air Purifier to Try for Your Family Summer Trip
When choosing a reliable portable air purifier for a coming family summer trip, nothing beats Westinghouse’s 1804 Portable Air Purifier with a True HEPA filter and a patented NCCO technology. This technology is medical-grade and has been used in hospital settings, but is now available to the general public.
The machine also features a 3-stage purification system which includes an oxygen generator, a true HEPA filter, and a patented NCCO reactor. The machine uses active oxygen to sanitize, kill, and remove air contaminants, such as viruses, bacteria, gaseous pollutants, and other harmful compounds in the air
The Bottom Line
A portable air purifier would be a smart purchase ahead of a family summer vacation. While it is not a guarantee that you won’t be exposed to pollutants and viruses, it is a supplemental precautionary tool that you can add to the safety measures you would practice as you travel, or when you stay in enclosed spaces.