Your home should be a place where you and your family are comfortable and safe. However, there may be health hazards inside the house unknown to you. Here are a few tips to help you keep a healthy and safe home.
Reduce Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Your Home
Many commercial cleaning products, mothballs, plastics, and even scented candles contain volatile organic compounds. VOCs are dangerous to your health, causing eye and throat irritation and damage to the central nervous system. Work toward reducing these toxins in your home environment by choosing all-natural VOC-free products when possible. Here are a few common sources of VOCs:
- nail polish remover
- carpeting
- paint
- cigarettes
- furniture polish
- glue
- wallpaper
- building materials
- fabrics
Maintain a Healthy and Safe Home by Preventing Mold Growth
Moisture and humidity create an environment conducive to mold growth. If your home is poorly ventilated, you may have excess moisture that can cause mold growth behind wallpaper or on drywall.
Watch for condensation and use a dehumidifier to keep humidity under control. Look for leaks around plumbing fixtures and repair them immediately. Using your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans while cooking and showering will also help draw moisture out of your home.
Use Household Locks
Keeping doors and windows locked helps protect your home from burglars. If you have young children, it also prevents them from going outside without supervision. Make a habit of locking all doors and windows at night and anytime you leave the house. Install a security bar in your sliding glass door and remember to lock the door between the garage and the house.
Clean Regularly to Keep a Healthy and Safe Home
Dust, dirt, and allergens build up inside your home. Maintain better air quality by dusting and vacuuming regularly. A good rule of thumb is to dust once per week and vacuum twice per week. Your home will look great and you and your family will breathe easier.
Filter Drinking Water
Most homes have some contaminants in their local tap water. Purify water by using a filtering pitcher that sits on the counter or in your fridge. Another option is to install an under-the-counter filter so the water coming from your faucet is ready to use. To know that you’re bathing and showering with cleaner water, install a shower head filter or a whole-house water filtering system.
Smoke Detectors are Necessary for a Healthy and Safe Home
Your home should have smoke detectors in every bedroom and on every floor of the house. Make sure there is a detector in or near the kitchen, but it should be installed about 10 feet away from cooking appliances to prevent false alarms. Check all the smoke detectors in your home monthly to verify they are working properly. Change the batteries twice a year.
Test for Radon
Radon is a radioactive gas that has been shown to cause lung cancer. It forms naturally during the break-down of radioactive materials in the ground. Radon enters a home through cracks in the foundation or walls and can accumulate inside your home to unsafe levels. Hire a professional radon specialist to test for high levels inside the house.
On Point Home Inspections provides home inspection services, including radon testing, to customers in Colorado. Contact us to schedule an appointment.