Your home is meant to be your sanctuary for you and your family to retreat to at the end of a long, hard day. However, an unclean environment can significantly impact your overall health. Here are nine ways to keep your home healthy that will keep your family healthy too.
Clear The Air
Many people don’t realize that many of the household cleaning products they use can be irritants, especially to those with asthma. The chance that asthma will spontaneously go away on its own is about 1% each year. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the concentrations of indoor pollutants are up to five times higher than outdoor ones. Use an air purifier to rid your home from mold, dust, and pollen. Open your windows as much as possible to freshen up stale air and replace your heating and cooling filters regularly.
Switch to natural products such as baking soda and vinegar to clean your home. Vacuum frequently and wash bedding once a week. Use exhaust fans in your bathroom every time you shower and in the kitchen when you cook. Use candles that are vegetable-based or made from beeswax. Doing these things will help improve your home’s air quality and help you and your family breathe better.
Check For Leaks
Inspect your roof, basement, windows, and plumbing for any potential leaks and repair them immediately. It can cost you $2,386 on average to fix water damage, and removing any standing water will cost you even more. Plus, it can make you and your family sick as mold develops from water damage. It can also lead to respiratory problems, lead poisoning, and accidental injuries. To keep your home dry, make sure the indoor humidity of your home is 60% or lower.
Sanitize Surfaces
About half of all common colds occur during spring and fall. You can reduce your risk by sanitizing commonly touched surfaces such as tables, counters, toilets, doorknobs, and sinks. Wipe off your phones and computer keyboards with antibacterial wipes. Sanitize kitchen sponges regularly by putting them through a dishwasher cycle or zapping them in the microwave for two minutes. Use paper towels as much as possible while you are cleaning to help prevent the spread of germs from one area of the house to another.
Don’t forget to disinfect your children’s toys and sporting equipment. While playing sports can help children with their physical and mental health, their equipment can carry a multitude of harmful bacteria. Make sure your family washes their hands before sitting down to eat and after going to the bathroom.
Reduce Clutter
Clutter may seem harmless but those stacks of papers, books, and clothes can be inviting homes for pests and insects. These uninvited guests can create health problems for your family such as asthma. Don’t leave a mess in your wake like the 2.7 million people who voluntarily left their jobs in 2015. Go through your home and toss out things you no longer want or use. Put away things in their proper place immediately after use.
Take Off Your Shoes
You and your family should make it a habit to take off your shoes before you come inside. The first four steps you take when you walk in your front door brings in 85% of the outdoor contaminants you can find in your home. The topsoil that you walk on outdoors can be contaminated from pesticides, insect and rodent droppings, and leaded gas used in cars decades ago. You can also track in various bacteria and germs that thrive in a warmer environment.
Install Detectors
Your home should have carbon monoxide and smoke detectors installed on every floor of your home. The smoke detectors will keep your family safe by alerting you loudly in the event of a fire. The carbon monoxide detectors will help keep your family healthy and safe from the deadly gas that can be emitted from your gas stove and water heater. Make sure that when you cook in your kitchen to open your windows or use your hood vent to avoid dangerous carbon monoxide buildup.
More than 350 people die each year from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure to test your detectors on a regular basis to ensure they are working properly. Change the batteries when you change your clocks for daylight savings time.
Change Your Cookware
Toss out your non-stick pans and utensils and switch to using cast iron or stainless steel instead. Cookware that features a non-stick coating can increase your potential for developing tumors in your breasts, liver, testicles, and pancreas. Avoid using plastic containers and wraps as these may contain Bisphenol A (BPA), which is a chemical that may increase your risk of cancer. Microwave and store your food in glass containers. If you do purchase plastic items, make sure they are BPA-free.
Invest In Slip And Fall Protection
Prevent slips and falls from occurring by keeping items such as cords and toys off the floor. Mop up spills as soon as they occur. You can also invest in slip and fall protection equipment such as safety rails for the bathtub. Make sure rugs are secured to the floor. If you have stairs, install wall-mounted safety gates at the top and bottom to prevent your small children from tumbling down accidentally.
Test For Radon
Radon is one of the main causes of lung cancer. However, you may never know it’s in your home because it’s invisible and odorless. The only way you can tell is by purchasing a passive radon detector test kit. You should test for radon about once every two years. The testing process itself can take anywhere from two to seven days. It takes about three days to get the results back.
By keeping your home clean and safe, you’ll keep your family in good health. You spend 90% of your time indoors, so make your sanctuary free from germs and toxins that can make you sick. Keep vigilant about any hidden dangers and you’ll be able to have a healthy home for years to come.
Speak Your Mind