-Control allergenic dust mites by washing all bedding once a week in hot (58 C) water

-Take all mattresses outside when temperatures fall well below freezing, about once a month, for a few hours to kill all mites

-Replace pillows regularly

-Ask for mattresses free of PBDE flame retardants

-Remove all dry-cleaned clothes from their bags and air them outside until chemical smell is gone before putting away, or choose a green dry cleaner who uses non-perchloroethylene solvents

-Choose desks made of solid wood or metal, as pressed wood units give off gas for months