It’s not difficult or expensive to make your home healthy and safe. Here are 6 tips to help your home become a better place for your family to spend time.
Take Care of Lead and Mold
Lead paint causes severe health problems. Lead poisoning can cause brain damage in children and other irreversible health problems. Lead is a hazard in the home when lead-based paint erodes and chips. If you live in a home built before 1978, take precautions by getting your house tested for lead.
Mold is another substance that you should have your home tested for, especially if your home has sustained water damage or if members of your family feel unwell inside the home. Mold causes an array of health problems and will spread throughout the house over time.
Get Rid of Dust to Make Your Home Healthy and Safe
If you let dust accumulate, you’re more likely to experience allergies. Not only that, but dust and debris in your home may contain hazardous chemicals, like:
- Fire retardants
- Lead
- Pesticides
One of the best ways to make your home healthy and safe is to replace any wall-to-wall carpeting with cork, wood, vinyl, or tile surfaces. You may be able to rip out the carpeting and finish the hardwood floors underneath.
Maintain a frequent dusting and vacuuming schedule. It’s best to vacuum your home twice weekly and dust all surfaces with a microfiber cloth. This will help keep your indoor air clean and healthy to breathe.
Remove Nicotine to Make Your Home Healthy and Safe
Exposure to second-hand smoke may cause health issues like asthma and even lung cancer. Don’t let anyone smoke cigarettes inside your home and designate a smoking area that is far away from any doors and windows to keep your home healthy and safe.
Filter Your Home’s Tap Water
Even in areas where drinking water is reported to be safe, there may still be trace levels of unhealthy chemicals and pollutants. The solution is filtering your tap water. Use a pitcher water filter, under-the-sink filter, or whole-house system.
Remove Pesticides From the Home
Pesticides are used for getting rid of mice, ants, roaches, and other pests. Overexposure may cause learning disabilities, brain development problems, and asthma in children.
Here are some alternative ways to keep pests away:
- Keep food containers tight and stowed away properly
- Wash dishes daily so they don’t attract pests.
- Seal cracks in the home.
Pull the weeds in your yard instead of spraying chemicals. There are also several non-toxic lawn care and pest control options on the market.
Test Smoke & CO Detectors
Make sure your home has enough smoke detectors, especially in all upstairs bedrooms. Test the batteries consistently so you know everything works properly. Do the same with your carbon monoxide detector.
Keeping your home healthy and safe is easy when you follow these tips.
Border Home and Property Inspections provides home inspection services, including mold and air quality inspections. Contact us to schedule an inspection in the midwest region of Alberta and Saskatchewan.