Nearly 13 years ago, I had 2 new arrivals in my life. One was Millie, my beautiful baby, the other was hay fever. Not so welcome a visitor. Yep, thanks body of mine, just getting over the shell shock of a newborn to be hit with a hideous allergy every spring/summer.
I’ll be honest and tell you that I’d never really taken hay fever seriously before – My sister has always had it but seemed to cope ok. I thought it was just a sniffly nose and occasional itchy eyes. How wrong I was. I totally under estimated how exhausting it can be to sneeze constantly, how sore your eyes can be, how hard it can be to concentrate – I have no idea how kids sitting exams with hay fever cope.
Over the years, I’ve tried various medications to reduce the symptoms and learnt quite a bit more about allergies. I know that by hanging your washing out on the line, you risk attracting the pollen but I didn’t know that certain appliances can also limit the symptoms too.
Colouring in Allergens – No pressure girls, there’s only a washing machine for the best picture!
Last Wednesday, to celebrate “National Allergies Week’, the Costello family trundled off to Halifax to an event hosted by ao.com and Hotpoint. We were taught how certain washing machines can reduce the impact of allergies – We were not just looking at hay fever but also dust, pet and detergent allergens – We looked at how higher temperatures can kill allergens, increased rinse and special allergy cycles can rinse away pollen and allergens and filters on hoovers and using tumble driers can all help.
Searching for Allergens
It was a great event – enough learning for us adults but not so much that the kids were bored. Plenty of chance to colour in those nasty allergens and we made some really pretty paper spring flowers – the paper kind are so much kinder to us hay fever sufferers than the real ones! There’s more information about the event over at the ao.com website
We finished off the day with a trip to Eureka just around the corner – Its been 8 years nearly since we visited Eureka. No idea why it has taken us so long to return – we had a great time. Millie wasn’t with us so we plan on visiting again very soon. For anyone unfamiliar with Eureka, it is a hands-on Children’s Discovery Museum – We especially liked the huge room about how the body works. Loads of practical things to try but nothing too deep.
Where do babies come from?
We had great fun in the play garage and post office and pretending to be underground workmen is about a near as I will get to getting my hands dirty.
What we really like about Eureka is that if you pay online for your entry (£11.95 for adults/children 3+) then you get an annual pass allowing you to visit as many times as you like. Car Parking is very reasonable at only £3 too.
I’m finishing this post with one of our ‘favourite’ videos from The Wiggles – Whenever we think about allergies, we think about this song which cracks us up. Tara loves it! Bet you’ll be singing it all day 🙂
Post Edit: I am happy to be able to share with you discount code for £20 certain Hotpoint large appliance – Simply insert the code HOTPOINT20 at the checkout. (Offer applies from 20th April – 3rd May 2015) The range of appliances included in the offer can be found here.
It was a lovely event wasn’t it? Great to see you as always.
Yes Pippa – Lovely relaxed atmosphere and so friendly. Hope to see you again very soon x
How fun! I especially like the ‘where do babies come from?’ photo! 🙂
Ahh I didn’t realise you were so local to me, we have had annual passes for Eureka for a while now. I will have to try and find you there some time for a coffee!