We all want a happy healthy home life, and a house that helps us maintain that. It’s supposed to shelter us from the contaminants that can affect us, whether it’s due to allergies, long-term exposure risk, or something else entirely. If you’re worried about whether or not you have a sick home, here are a few contaminants that are a lot more common than you might think, and what you have to do to make sure they don’t affect you and your family.
How old is your home?
Whether it’s out of necessity or preference, many of us are living in homes that are several generations old. A little classic charm can go a long way, after all. However, depending on how old it is, you should check for a few seriously threatening contaminants. Lead is the first, which can lead to poisoning that is especially dangerous to pregnant women and young children. On the other end, asbestos is more common in homes that have been built in the 80s or 90s, and can lead to a highly fatal form of lung cancer called mesothelioma. Consider hiring the services of asbestos removal services if you think that might be a risk for your home.
Keep your carpeting in mind
Even regular dust can become a real health risk if you let it build to a dangerous extent, especially in homes with carpets. Serious build ups of dust can lead to and make worse respiratory issues such as asthma. If you wanted to be totally safe from the risk of dust, then you would have to get rid of as many fabrics in the home as possible. However, that’s simply not an option for many people who want a home to be comfortable, not just functional. For that reason, finding high-quality carpet cleaning services is important. Taking care of your the ventilation in your home is important, too. Good ventilation stops dust from lingering and gathering in one spot, so long as you bear in mind to change the filters.
Check the faucets
It might strike you as bizarre to mistrust the very water that’s pouring out of your faucets, but the truth is that it’s an increasingly common problem that the water is not as healthy, pure and clean as we might want. Most home water is treated to some degree, but there are many areas that have tested and found pesticides, pharmaceutical runoff, heavy metals and other contaminants in the water we drink. This contamination may also include contagious viruses and bacteria, which does have the potential to cause real health concerns in the home. The best way to fight those concerns is with a high quality water filter. However, you should check what local resources you have to see if there have been any water safety reports.
Watch how you handle pests
When it comes to rodents, produce-eating bugs, and unwelcome guests such as roaches, pesticide is a common and effective solution. However, pesticide might be too effective, as using it in large quantities can be harmful to the home, children, and any pets you have. For one, pets can find pesticides in the garden even after they’re supposed to have cleared away, leaving the space safe to use. Overuse of pesticides can deeply affect children as well, increasing their risk of developing asthma and allergies but, even more worrying still, it can lead to brain development issues such as learning disabilities. If you’re trying to deal with pests in the garden, try to incorporate more natural methods, such as cleaning the garden and using companion plants.
How clean is your cleaning?
When it comes to cleaning the home, especially areas where hygiene is crucial, like in the kitchen, we don’t want to take too many chances. However, the household chemicals you’re using may be more dangerous than you might imagine. Keeping them out of reach of children is essential, but even then, they can still be dangerous. For instance, air fresheners have been known to irritate the lungs, eyes, and skin when overused thanks to ingredients like formaldehyde and petroleum distillates. Bleach containing sodium hypochlorite is another issue, as it can do real damage to both your skin and respiratory system over time. If you’re really worried about contaminants in the home, often the most effective place to start is in finding some green cleaning products to replace your old chemicals.
You can never be too sure of just how clean or how safe your home is. However, with the tips above, you can at least tackle the most common issues, making your house a much healthier place.