How do you reduce static in the home?

[MushyMushy]

We're having a huge problem with static in our house! I'm worried about my laptop (and maybe someone can set my mind at ease or tell me I'm right to worry), because every time I put my feet on the floor, I get a static shock from my laptop.

On a funnier note, the puppy is getting staticky too. I don't want it to continue because she's starting to get a little fearful of it, but I can't help but laugh. I couldn't even pet her without getting shocked, and every time she'd come to sniff me, she'd shock me.

 

[Evil Genius]

Running a humidifier helps

 

[MushyMushy]

Stupid question -- would you need one for every room, or do they make big ones or what?

 

[SpecialK]

Ours is connected to our furnace.

 

[Evil Genius]

You can buy bigger ones, that would probably take care of most of your house. Depends on the square footage. Wal Mart sells some decent sized ones.

 

[MushyMushy]

I'll have to watch for that. We've never really had a problem with it in our other houses.

I wonder, though, why just one dog is getting shocky like that.

 

[Pixiedust34]

Do you wear crocs? I notice that I get shocked more often when I'm wearing crocs.

I cringe each and every time I get out of the car because I know that I will get zapped when I close the car door!

 

[ducklite]

I agree that the best way to fix the problem is with a humidifier. We had one on our furnace up north, down here it's not a problem.

I used to spray Static Guard on my socks or slippers that I wore around the house in the winter, and it helped.

As far as the computer, before you touch it, touch somthing else to discharge the static.

 

[swilphil]

After messing with humidifiers in various rooms in the house, we finally had one attached to our furnance. The only thing you have to do is change the filter annually. The stand-alone humidifiers have to have water added constantly.

More moisture in the air also helps with chapped lips, stuffy noses and seems to help keep the house at a more pleasant temperature.