ORANGE PARK – Millions of Americans recently used the long Thanksgiving weekend to set up their Christmas tree and retrieve other holiday decorations. Unfortunately, these seasonal items can cause respiratory problems for many people, as we breathe in the mold and dust they have collected while sitting in their garage or attic over the past 11 months.

Over the next few weeks, families will spend time cleaning and organizing for guests visiting their house, but what about making sure the air in their home is safe for others to breathe?

According to the EPA, Americans, on average spend approximately 90% of their day indoors, where concentrations of some pollutants can be two to five times higher than the air we breathe outdoors. These conditions are made worse during the holidays as we add trees, decorations and candles around our homes which can be harmful for friends and family members with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory issues.

Here are some common holiday decoration practices that contribute to unhealthy air quality in the home and ways to keep everyone safe this time of year:

“Christmas Tree Syndrome” – While the pine scent may be nice to smell, the pollen and mold remaining on a live Christmas tree are dangerous to breathe. Researchers at State University of New York found that 70% of the molds found in live trees can trigger severe asthma attacks, fatigue and sinus congestion. Artificial trees can also cause problems, especially if they’re not wrapped properly and have accumulated dust and mold spores while in storage.

Kevin Hamilton, owner of AvantaClean of Orange Park, said Florida’s climate is more-conducive to allergens and molds.

“We tend to store our knick-knacks in outside storage areas that aren’t climate-controlled,” he said. “The season comes around and we bring them in the house. It’s always a good idea to go though your things before you bring them in because they can change the air quality in the house, and that gets redistributed throughout the house by the HVAC system.”

Here are some tips before you set up the Christmas tree this year:

For live trees: hose off the tree to remove pollen and mold and let dry before you bring it inside; wear gloves and long sleeves when carrying the tree to avoid sap touching your skin; and, wipe down the trunk of the tree with a solution of one-part bleach, 20-parts lukewarm water.

For artificial trees: wrap the tree securely, store in a cool and dry place; wipe down the tree and ornaments before setting up; and, reduce the amount of spray snow to frost your tree and windows. Aerosolized chemicals can cause irritant reactions in the eyes, nose or lungs.

• Dust off the decorations – They’ve been stored away for 11 months in garages, basements or attics which are known hangouts for mold and dust mites, carrying many allergens. Wipe those decorations off thoroughly with a damp cloth when you take them out of storage. After the holidays, pack decorations in plastic bags, or bins, not cardboard. Cardboard is notorious for collecting dust and promoting mold growth.

• Stop the scented sprays and flocking – Creating ambiance from a can could lead to irritated noses and throats, exacerbating respiratory issues. Instead, try a natural potpourri of water, cinnamon sticks, cloves and orange peels, simmering on the stove, to keep your home smelling fresh and festive.

• Snuff the scented candles – While they can create that warm cozy feeling in your home, candles can also lead to respiratory distress in people with severe allergies or asthma. Some scented, petroleum-based candles can produce soot, as well as irritating particles and gasses. Candles made from soy, hemp, or beeswax, or even ones using LED “flickering light” effects may be a better option.

“We see a lot more soot problems with candles,” Hamilton said. “They’re great, but they emit soot that gets caught in the vents.”

• Punt the poinsettias – The cheerful, traditional plant is everywhere during the holidays. But did you know poinsettias are members of the rubber tree family? That means anyone allergic to latex could develop anything from a rash to severe breathing problems, just by touching or inhaling the allergen. The plants can also be mildly toxic to pets, which can lead to vomiting, diarrhea or skin or eye irritation in dogs and cats.