Your home is supposed to be a place of refuge and relaxation. It should be the one place you can count on for peace, quiet, and comfort. But it’s hard to feel comfortable if you’re faced with sniffling and sneezing and coughing that’s actually caused by elements in your own house.

An increasing number of people appear to be struggling with allergies that can make them miserable in their own houses. So what steps can you take to eliminate allergens from your new Poconos home?

Here are some key areas you’ll want to pay attention to if you suffer from some of the common allergies that plague so many people.

• Flooring: Cut down on carpeted areas. Even if you vacuum regularly, carpets can trap allergens in their fibers that a simple vacuuming won’t eliminate. It’s one of the reasons that hardwood floors, stone, tile, and even engineered flooring is so popular. In addition to looking great, they don’t give dust and allergens a place to reside. You can still use area rugs to warm up a room, but those can be taken out for cleaning when necessary. And on top of that, you’ll be reducing the amount of surfaces where allergens can accumulate.

• Heating: Installing radiant heat is one way to cut down on dust and other allergens. Forced air systems often accumulate dust in the duct works. If radiant heat isn’t an option, at least you can choose HEPA air filters for your furnace that remove more dust and other airborne materials. These filters cost a little bit more, but it’s worth it not to sniffle, sneeze, and cough!

• Finishes: Mold can be a significant problem, and it’s not always something you can see. When considering materials for the finishes in your home, check to see if there are mold-resistant options.

• Clean Humidifiers: If you use humidifiers or dehumidifiers in your home, clean them regularly, to keep mold from building up inside.

• Furniture and Furnishings: If you are troubled by allergies you may need to eliminate down filled pillows and comforters. You may be spending eight hours a night exposing yourself to feathers—a common allergen. You may want to exercise the same kind of caution when selecting furniture. Furniture that uses upholstery can be another place where allergens collect. Leather, wood, steel, and glass may be better options for you. You can also check with the manufacturers or distributors to see if the furniture you’re considering is made with allergen-resistant materials.