Dear Annie: A pediatrician gave me great advice on using the heater

Dear Annie: I just read the letter about cleaning an air-conditioning unit.

It made me think of advice a pediatrician gave me almost 40 years ago when I had two toddlers. She said that in the fall, when you turn the heat on for the first time, open a few windows and then leave the house for a few hours. This lets the dust settle and helps prevent allergic reactions, which compromise children’s immune systems and cause them to pick up every germ circulating throughout the fall and winter.

This really works and it was me, the mom, who always got the upper respiratory stuff within days of turning the heat on. I went as far as completely dusting the house before following her advice when I turned the heat on for the first time every fall. I still do it for myself! Here’s to a healthier winter. — Healthier Winters

Dear Healthier Winters: Thank you for these great tips.

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“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].