Vaporizer or cool air humidifier

Vaporizers and cool air humidifiers help moisten the mouth and throat when breathing the dry, heated indoor air of the winter months. Cool mist may be preferred because of the risk of burns from steam vaporizers.

A shallow pan of water in the room can substitute for a vaporizer or humidifier and avoids the hazard of mold. Be sure to keep the pan out of the reach of babies and toddlers. Do not put it on the floor or other areas where a child could fall in. A young child can drown in shallow pans of water.

If you use a vaporizer, remember to:

• Change the water and clean the inside of the machine daily. Mold almost always develops in cool air humidifiers (not hot).
• Do not add medication to vaporizer water. This may cause spasms of the large air passages (bronchus).