The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these suggestions to minimize mold growth in your home:

• Make sure indoor humidity levels are kept between 40 percent and 60 percent.
• During very humid weather, run the air conditioner, a dehumidifier or both.
• Ensure that your home is well-ventilated, including exhaust fans where needed.
• Before painting a room, add a mold-inhibiting agent to the paint.
• Scrub bathrooms regularly with cleaning products designed to kill mold.
• Avoid carpet in moist areas, such as in bathrooms and the basement.
• Promptly get rid of any carpets or upholstered items that have been soaked.

-- Diana Kohnle