When there is too much dust and dander in the air and on your furniture, it can provoke an allergic reaction that can range from minor sniffles to flu-like symptoms. Take the time to give your upholstery and mattresses a good cleaning with your vacuum. Use the handheld attachment to vacuum up dust from inside crevices, on cushions and on the backs of upholstered furniture. Are the cases or slipcovers machine-washable? Strip the furniture and give it all a good wash and dry. Vacuum bare mattresses and wipe them down with a damp (not soaking) towel and allow to dry before dressing the bed again.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If there's a lot of sauteing, frying and cooking going on in your kitchen, do just one thing: Make sure your stove is working and venting properly. A gas range gives off a small amount of carbon monoxide (CO), which is perfectly normal and won't get you sick. But too much CO, and you could be in for trouble. Take a look at the flames on your cooktop: Are they yellow-tipped flames? That means the CO levels are too high and the burners need to be fixed. And if you have an exhaust fan, use it: It removes excess CO, particulates and smoke. Be sure the exhaust fan filters are clean and also properly installed.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you want to prevent a loaf of bread from going stale, the easiest thing to do is to freeze it when it's fresh. By freezing bread, you can extend the shelf life by as much as three months. The trick is to pre-slice the bread before freezing it and storing it in an airtight freezer bag or wrapped tightly in aluminum foil; this makes it easy to grab a slice or two right out of the freezer. Simply use a toaster oven to reheat it; as the ice particles melt, the starches inside the bread re-gelatinize and the bread becomes deliciously chewy again.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION