Winter weather is dry, and it is the season to use a humidifier, at least one should be placed in the office and home. After having a baby, mothers and fathers are afraid of too dry, will set up a humidifier in the home, so that the air humidity of the room to be better. But since the “humidifier pneumonia” news, many parents do not dare to give the baby to use a humidifier. Recently, many parents in the background have asked whether to use humidifiers for babies. Is it true that “humidifier pneumonia”? Today we will have a good talk about whether this small appliance is a blessing or a curse? Families with babies, can humidifiers be used? It can be used. Not only can be used, the correct use can relieve the child due to dryness caused by many diseases, to help the baby to relieve the discomfort. For example, nasal congestion caused by colds and nosebleeds caused by dry weather. In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of cool-mist air humidifiers, not hot-mist humidifiers, to avoid unnecessary burns and scalds. What is “humidifier pneumonia” all about? Why can humidifiers continue to be used when they can cause pneumonia? In fact, humidifiers themselves do not cause pneumonia, but rather have many benefits like those mentioned above. Cause “humidifier pneumonia” is the culprit of incorrect use, in the use of humidifiers, there are a lot of misunderstandings, come to see if there is no step into the misunderstanding. Misunderstanding one: the use of tap water in the humidifier Tap water contains a large number of minerals, easy to produce deposits in the humidifier, thus promoting the reproduction and growth of bacteria. And, released into the air, will also make people inhale some of the minerals floating in the air. Suggestion: use pure water or distilled water. Myth 2: humidifier to join the nebulizer drugs now do the peak of the nebulizer colds, some parents would like to, the baby in the hospital nebulizer is not very cooperative, should not be poured into some of the nebulizer drugs in the humidifier, so that is not in the home invariably done in the nebulizer. This idea is indeed very good, but nebulized drugs can not be put into the humidifier. First of all, the use of atomization of the nebulizer, is to meet certain standards, as a medical device in addition to audit than the humidifier to be more stringent, but also requires that the diameter of the atomized particles can reach 1 ~ 5 microns to be able to enter the body, to play a therapeutic effect, which the humidifier can not be done. In addition, the atomization of the time is equipped with a nebulizing mask, which can promote the full use of drugs and absorption, while the humidifier is the mist emitted into the air. Myth 3: add vinegar in the humidifier Because of the high incidence of colds and flu season, there are rumors that vinegar can prevent colds and flu, some parents will pour vinegar into the humidifier, that may be more effective. First of all, the claim that vinegar can prevent colds has not been verified, and secondly, the smell of vinegar in the room is really pungent. Vinegar added to the humidifier after the diffusion, and may even be irritating to the baby’s inhalation tract, but will get sick. Myth 4: Add essential oils to the humidifier Adding essential oils to the humidifier may cause allergies and other phenomena. Myth 5: humidifier 24 hours a day Parents understand the benefits of humidifiers after the 24-hour house non-stop use of humidifiers. It is best not to do so, it is recommended that every 2 hours to stop for a while, and pay attention to ventilation. If you leave the humidifier on for a long time without opening the windows for ventilation, it will easily lead to high humidity in the indoor air, which can trigger the growth of harmful bacteria, dust mites and molds, which can cause allergies, asthma attacks, and inhalation tract infections. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standards, indoor humidity levels should not exceed 50 percent, if more than 50 percent to turn off the humidifier. In addition to the above misunderstandings, should also pay attention to the following principles 1, often replace the water in the humidifier. Empty the water tank, replenish pure or distilled water every day, especially if using cold mist or ultrasonic humidifier. 2, clean the humidifier every three days. When cleaning, use as little bactericidal disinfectant as possible, you can use 60 to 70 degrees of hot water for soaking, and then rinse repeatedly with running water, and then use a soft cloth to wipe off the scale around the water tank. Be sure to rinse the water tank after cleaning! 3, humidifier to be placed in the right location. The humidifier is best placed in a stable plane about 1 meter high, so that the humidity sprayed just within the body’s activities, indoor air at this height is also easier to circulate. Try to stay away from heat sources, corrosive substances, electrical appliances and so on. Or put it close to the baby’s sleeping place, but out of reach, so that the baby can enjoy the comfort of the humidifier will not have safety problems.