If your child is like most, he will suffer from six to eight colds per year. The accompanying symptoms -— sore throat, stuffy nose and irritating cough -— can all be eased by putting a little more moisture into the air with a vaporizer or humidifier. The pros and cons of vaporizer and humidifier types What kind is the best? There are four kinds of units to choose from: - Steam humidifiers or vaporizers produce moisture by boiling water and releasing steam, which is hot to the touch. - Warm mist humidifiers produce steam that is cooled before it is released. While the heat kills the bacteria, the moisture that collects in the unit can create mold. - Cool mist or ultrasonic humidifiers shoot tiny droplets of water into the air. They are more likely to disperse bacteria than warm mist or steam models, therefore many manufacturers have added filters to purify the mist before it is released. Filters must be changed regularly or can harbor mold and bacteria. - Evaporative humidifiers use a fan to blow air over a wet wick, causing moisture to evaporate into the air. The wick can become breeding ground for bacteria if not cleaned or replaced regularly. Pediatrician recommended choices All of the above units are effective in adding humidity to the air and providing relief from congestion, sore throats, and even nose bleeds. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of the cool mist vaporizer or evaporative humidifier, as they reduce the chance of accidental burns to children. How to use your child's humidifier or vaporizer safely The key to safely using humidifiers and vaporizers is to choose the unit right for your child's room and to keep them very, very clean in order to deter the growth of bacteria. To get the best results from a humidifier or vaporizer: - Choose a unit that is right for the size of the room. Humidifiers are rated for coverage area in square footage. Take measurements to determine the correct room size you are looking for. If the humidifier is too large for the room, condensation could cause bacteria and mold to form. - Opt for a model with a built-in humidistat or hygrometer. This feature allows you set the machine to operate until it reaches a specified level of humidity so that it does not over-humidify the room. - Look for a model with an automatic shut-off feature should the water reservoir run dry. - Empty the water tank and dry interior surfaces every time you turn off the machine; use fresh water every day. - Tap water contains many minerals and can cause scale to develop inside your humidifier, which can be a breeding ground for microorganisms. It is best to use "distilled" water in the humidifier. - Clean your humidifier every two to three days of operation, as recommended by the manufacturer. - Soak the tank and all parts that are exposed to water in a 10 percent bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water). - Replace all filters and wicks on schedule. - Before storing, clean the machine and its parts thoroughly. - After removing from storage, clean the machine and its parts thoroughly before first use. Reviewed by: Patrick S. Pasquariello Jr., MD Date: January 2007 ************ MORE GREAT HEALTH INFORMATION ONLINE For more information on children's health, safety and medical conditions, check out "Your Child's Health" on our Web site at http://www.chop.edu/consumer/your_child/index.jsp