Burning wood and coal in a stove or open fire releases particulate matter. This has an impact on the air-quality in your home and can irritate your nose and throat, giving you a cough or breathing problems.

If you have a log burner or open fire, there are a few things to remember, to keep them as safe as possible:

• Always use dry wood. Wood that is wet or damp produces more smoke.

• Log burners and open fires should be serviced regularly, ensuring they are operating as they should.

• Chimneys should be cleaned, ensuring effective ventilation and that your home is safe from fire risk.

Similar to burning wood indoors, burning leaves or rubbish in our gardens releases harmful particulates into the atmosphere, worsening air quality.

Think about recycling or upcycling old furniture, toys, and clothes, instead of burning them.

Smoking indoors leads to high levels of pollutants within the home. The leftover gas and particles from cigarette smoke that settle can cause health hazards, especially in rooms with a lot of fabric or carpeting.

For lovers of pets, pet hair and dander can be a serious problem if you suffer from allergies. Pet dander is one of the top sources of air pollution in the home and can trigger the onset of asthma attacks. Where possible make sure your pet is groomed and your home is hoovered regularly.

Air fresheners can disguise some horrible smells but using them in enclosed spaces is not good for our health. If we use them, remember that you will probably be inhaling chemicals, good ventilation such as open doors and windows will help to remove fumes.

Household cleaning supplies are another common cause of indoor pollution and poor air quality in homes. Harsh chemicals that give off fumes can irritate your nose, mouth and lungs, as well as your skin. This is particularly dangerous to those prone to asthma.

There are some things you can do to reduce the impact cleaning products have:

• Swapping to eco-friendly or natural cleaning products.

• Reducing or stopping the use of air fresheners within your home, as these release chemicals too.

• Open windows and doors when cleaning to improve ventilation.

Cooking is one of the main sources of indoor air pollution. When we cook, we generate nitrogen oxide and other particulates, which are the same pollutants that you find outdoors. Using an extractor fan or opening a window or door will help to ventilate the room.

Gas boilers can sometimes produce Carbon Monoxide (CO) if they are not serviced regularly. To ensure your home is as safe as it can be, your boiler must be checked regularly by a qualified gas engineer to ensure it is combusting fuel safely and efficiently, minimising health risks such as carbon monoxide poisoning.

Steam in a bathroom can lead to damp which encourages mould to grow. Where possible use bathroom fans or keep windows open when showering or bathing to help remove steam from the room and stop mould from growing.

Washing and drying clothes indoors can cause damp.

However, living in the Greater Manchester region means the weather doesn't often allow for hanging clothes outside to dry. When drying clothes indoors, make sure there is good ventilation, such as by an open window, to reduce the likelihood of damp building up.