Residents can help minimize mold growth in their apartment homes by taking the following actions:

"¢ Open windows. Proper ventilation is essential. If it is not possible to open windows, run the fan on the apartment air-handling unit to circulate fresh air throughout your apartment. Immediately report to the management office any inoperable windows or doors.

"¢ In damp or rainy weather conditions, keep windows and doors closed.

"¢ If possible, maintain a temperature of between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit within your apartment at all times.

"¢ Clean and dust your apartment on a regular basis as required by your lease. Regular vacuuming, mopping, and use of environmentally safe household cleaners are important to remove household dirt and debris that contribute to mold growth.

"¢ Periodically clean and dry the walls and floors around the sink, bathtub, shower, toilets, windows and patio doors using a common household disinfecting cleaner.

"¢ On a regular basis, wipe down and dry areas where moisture sometimes accumulates, like countertops, windows and windowsills.

"¢ Use the pre-installed bathroom fan or alternative ventilation when bathing or showering and allow the fan to run until all excess moisture has vented from the bathroom.

"¢ Use the exhaust fans in your kitchen when cooking or while the dishwasher is running and allow the fan to run until all excess moisture has vented from the kitchen.

"¢ Use care when watering houseplants. If spills occur, dry up excess water immediately.

"¢ Ensure that your clothes dryer vent is operating properly, and clean the lint screen after every use.

"¢ When washing clothes in warm or hot water, watch to make sure condensation does not build up within the washer and dryer closet; if condensation does accumulate, dry with a fan or towel.

"¢ Do not allow damp or moist stacks of clothes or other cloth materials to lie in piles for an extended period of time.

"¢ Thoroughly dry any spills or pet urine on carpeting.

"¢ Immediately report to the management office any evidence of water leak or excessive moisture in your apartment, storage room, garage, or any common area.

"¢ Immediately report to the management office any evidence of mold growth that cannot be removed by simply applying a common household cleaner and wiping the area. Immediately report to the management office any musty odors that you notice in your apartment.

"¢ Immediately report to the management office any failure or malfunction with your heating, ventilation, air conditioning system, or laundry system. As your lease provides, do not block or cover any of the heating, ventilation or air conditioning ducts in your apartment.