October marks the beginning of the cold and flu season for many states across the US. Add a pandemic, lingering wildfire pollution, and seasonal allergies to the mix, and you can see why it’s so important to protect the air inside your living space. Below are some helpful tips for keeping your home — and yourself — healthy until spring. 1. Filters matter. Air filters come in all shapes, sizes, and, most importantly, strengths. No matter which rating system your filters follow (MERV, MPR, FPR, HEPA, etc.), a higher number means better performance. While low-strength filters may be cheaper, they’re usually only successful at trapping large air particles like loose hair and dust bunnies. The highest-rated filters can trap everything from mold spores to virus-carrying aerosols. If stronger air filters fit your budget, they could be a worthy investment this year. 2. There’s a reason air purifiers are so popular. Move over, pressure cookers. The hottest home appliance this year is the ...