Humidifier use while under boil advisory?

[RandomGemini]

I have no idea where to put this, but it just occurred to me that we have been under a boil advisory since Friday and I believe my daughter may have filled the humidifier with tap water, rather than distilled.

Does anyone happen to know if it's safe to use tap water in your humidifier during a boil advisory?

Thanks!

[WhiteRabbit]

I would boil the water first. If the water may not be safe to ingest, it may not be safe to inhale ...

[RandomGemini]

That's what I was thinking too. Thank you for confirming my thoughts.

[shushu45]

Humitifires work by pretty much boiling the water. Instead on large bubbles its tiny tiny bubbles. BUT if u r in a boil advisory tap water would be unsafe to use in humitifires since its not heating the water up enough and not lobe enough to kill any microorganisms.
So no I wouldn't use tap water in the humidifier.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Most humidifiers don't boil water. Instead, they create a cool mist.

[shushu45]

Warm-mist humidifiers.

"They work by boiling water which produces steam. The steam is then cooled slightly before being released in to the air. Warm-mist tabletop units are quieter than the evaporative type of humidifiers, but they are also more costly to operate.

Warm-mist humidifiers can also raise the air temperature in a room which is nice in the winter but not so wonderful if you live in a warm location. If you have small children, using a warm-mist humidifier is not recommended because the heated water can cause accidental scalding. They are also not recommended if anyone in your house suffers from asthma due to the warm mist causing irritation to the airways."

Different Types of Humidifiers

There r different types of humidifiers but the warmest one of the common types.

[james mickelso]

I wouldn't use tap water in a humidifier anyway. The scale will quickly degrade it.

[Leafmite]

I hope that your water gets sorted out and back to normal. We've had this happen, too, and it is a pain.

[RandomGemini]

Thanks all. I picked up some distilled water at the store today for the humidifer. It's a cool mist type, not a warm mist and I will run the parts through the sani-rinse in my dishwasher before I turn it on again.

As far as the water goes, I'm kinda peeved about it. They knew we had a problem on Friday. I found out, because I happen to follow a local news blotter type Facebook page. We got our actual notice from the water district today. Thank god I found out sooner, by sheer chance! I have a husband and a dog that have compromised immune systems.