If you’re hosting a big Thanksgiving dinner for the family this year, you’re probably already busy planning everything. There’s just one little thing we’d like to add to your to-do list: making sure the air you’ll breath during the dinner won’t be making any of your guests uncomfortable. It will take you less than 15 minutes to:

1) Open the windows a few hours before your guests arrive. Even if you live in an area with colder weather, opening the windows for a little while will clear the air and help keep the spirits up during dinner. And don’t forget to open the windows again before heading to bed!

2) Choose healthier candles. Unfortunately, most of the candles on the market are made out of paraffin wax and scented with synthetic fragrances, which are both derived from petroleum. They might smell nice, but can potentially irritate your respiratory tract or even trigger asthma attacks. Candles from natural materials such as soybean, palm, hemp, or beeswax are a healthier choice.

3) Watch out for dry air. You’ll probably try to make your home warm for guests, which might have the side effect of leaving your air dry. If your relative humidity drops below 45%, turn on a humidifier close to your dining area and keep it running during dinner. Increasing the humidity (but not above 55%!) will make your guests more comfortable and also make it more difficult for aunt Sally’s cold to spread around.

You can find even more tips for better indoor air quality during the holidays on our blog.