Maintaining a healthy home is one of the best ways to ensure your family stays healthy. It’s not always easy, but you can make it a lot easier with some simple changes. Read on for some tips to keep your home and family healthy.
Keeping Your Home Free of Toxins
One of the most important things you can do to keep your family healthy is to ensure that your home is free of toxins. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies the following sources of indoor toxicity and pollution.
Pesticides
These chemicals kill pests, such as insects, rodents, and fungi. Unfortunately, they can also be harmful to humans, especially children.
If you use pesticides, always follow the instructions on the label and keep them out of reach of children and pets. Better yet, try to avoid using them altogether. There are many natural ways to get rid of pests, such as using traps, sealing up cracks and crevices, and cleaning regularly.
Cleaning Products
Many common household cleaning products contain harmful chemicals that can pollute the air and pose health risks. When choosing cleaning products, look for non-toxic, natural, or eco-friendly ones.
You can also make safe cleaning products using simple natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. You can find recipes for these online.
Air Fresheners
Air fresheners are another common source of indoor pollution. They often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause respiratory problems, headaches, and other health problems.
If you use air fresheners, choose ones that don’t contain VOCs or use natural alternatives like diffusing essential oils.
Furniture
Some furniture is made with materials that release harmful chemicals into the air, such as formaldehyde. When buying new furniture, look for products made with low-emitting materials. You can also look for furniture certified by an independent organization, such as the Greenguard Environmental Institute.
Ventilation
Good ventilation is essential for keeping a healthy indoor environment. It helps remove toxins and pollutants from the air and keeps it fresh.
You can improve the ventilation in your home by opening windows and doors, using fans, and running an air purifier.
Mold
Mold can grow in damp, humid areas of your home and release spores into the air. These spores can cause respiratory problems, especially for people with allergies or asthma.
To prevent mold growth, keep your home well-ventilated and clean. If you find mold, clean it up immediately with water and bleach.
Lead
Lead is a toxic metal found in old paint, pipes, and other materials. It can cause serious health problems, especially in children.
If you think there may be lead in your home, have it tested by a professional. If it is present, take steps to remove it safely.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly. It’s produced by burning fuel, such as natural gas, propane, and gasoline.
A carbon monoxide detector in your home can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Test and have it serviced regularly to protect your family.
Keeping Your Home Pool Safe
Having a pool at home contributes to the family’s good health. Swimming is good exercise for all family members. Having a pool also provides a way to cool down when the weather is extremely hot. Proper pool maintenance is crucial, however, to ensure that the pool does not become a health hazard.
The recommendation of the CDC is for swimming pools to have a pH level of 7.2 to 7.8. When the pH level increases beyond this, the germ-killing action decreases. High pH levels also cause skin and eye irritation in swimmers. That is why homeowners must ensure lower pH in pool service. It would be even better if the pH level is controlled by the service provider using carbon dioxide instead of liquid acid. Carbon dioxide is safer than liquid acid because it is non-toxic and not flammable.
If there are very young children at home, homeowners must also put up a fence around the home pool. The fence should be at least four feet high and have a self-closing, self-latching gate. Homeowners must also ensure that there are no toys or other objects around the pool area that could attract young children to the pool.
Maintain a Healthy and Happy Home
Maintaining a healthy home is crucial for keeping your family safe and healthy. There are many things you can do to achieve this, from simple measures like cleaning regularly using natural solutions and airing out the house to more drastic steps like testing for lead paint and removing it if necessary. By following these tips, you can create a safe and healthy environment for your family that will keep them happy and healthy for years to come.
