Is It Safe to Use a Humidifier?

November 24, 2025 | Product liability

Is It Safe to Use a Humidifier?

During cold winter months, a humidifier can be used to increase the moisture in the air. Humidifiers can offer significant health benefits, particularly during the dry winter months. However, using a faulty humidifier or failing to clean and maintain it properly can create potential health risks. 

Continue reading below to learn more about the risks associated with using a humidifier and whether this appliance is the right choice for your home or office.

How a Humidifier Can Help

Dry air can significantly impact your health, and indoor air in the winter can become extremely dry. Using a humidifier to increase the humidity in your home or office can have noticeable benefits for your health.

Humidifiers can help protect against:

  • Dry or cracked skin
  • Chapped lips
  • Dry or sore throat
  • Sinus infections or congestion
  • Nose irritation or nosebleeds
  • Vocal cord irritation
  • Allergies
  • Poor sleep quality

The Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, and other respected health organizations all tout the benefits of humidifiers. Not only can humidifiers protect against the symptoms above, but they can also help prevent the spread of infection. Dry air allows bacteria, viruses, and other particles to more freely spread throughout the air. However, moisturized air does not allow droplets and skin flakes carrying these viruses to travel as far.

Risks of Using a Humidifier in Your Home

While humidifiers offer numerous health benefits, they also pose some risks. They can be especially risky when not used properly. For instance, a humidifier may raise the humidity in your home too high. This could encourage mold growth, and it might trigger your allergies to flare up.

When using a humidifier, you should always monitor the humidity levels. This can be done by using a hygrometer. According to the EPA, the air inside your home should be kept at a humidity between 30% to 50%.

Before using your humidifier, check for any open recalls. Defective products may not function properly, which can lead to numerous issues and even health problems.

Finally, regular cleaning and maintenance of your humidifier is crucial. Failure to keep your humidifier clean can cause bacteria to grow inside the device, and this bacteria can be spread into the air within your home.

Should You Use a Humidifier?

Humidifiers can be a great way to avoid illness and reduce many health symptoms that appear during the cold and dry winter months. However, these devices must be used properly. Regular cleaning of your humidifier is crucial, and it is also advised to use distilled water in the humidifier to avoid introducing impurities into the air.

What to Do if a Humidifier Injures You

If a humidifier causes harm—whether due to overheating, mold growth, or poor design—you may have a case. These products can sometimes be faulty without warning, leading to burns or breathing issues.

Hang on to the humidifier, packaging, and any receipts. Document what happened and seek medical care quickly. These steps can help if you decide to report the issue or explore legal options.

Contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates for a Free Consultation With a Harrisburg Product Liability Lawyer

If you have suffered an injury because of a defective humidifier, you might be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages for your injuries. Contact the experienced Harrisburg product liability lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates to arrange a free consultation.

If you’ve been injured or need a lawyer to help you with your case, please contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today:

Marzzacco Niven & Associates Harrisburg
945 East Park Drive, Suite 103 Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 231-1640

Marzzacco Niven & Associates York
2550 Kingston Road, Suite 210A York, PA 17401
(717) 995-8998

Marzzacco Niven & Associates Wyomissing
833 N. Park Road, Suite 103, Room A Wyomissing, PA 19610
(717) 388-2325

Marzzacco Niven & Associates Chambersburg
79 St. Paul Drive, Suite 1 Chambersburg, PA 17201
(717) 388-2378

Marzzacco Niven & Associates Carlisle
354 Alexander Springs Road Carlisle, PA 17015
(717) 995-8732

Marzzacco Niven & Associates Carbondale
30 Lincoln Avenue, Suite 101 Carbondale, PA 18407
(717) 995-8810

Marzzacco Niven & Associates Lancaster
2173 Embassy Drive, Ste 123, Lancaster Pa 17603
(717) 616-2954

Marzzacco Niven & Associates Lebanon
937 Willow Street, Suite D Lebanon, PA 17042-1140
(717) 995-8963