Is your house making you sick?

Do you feel ill whenever you are in your house, but feel fine when you stay in a hotel or at a friend’s house? There could be something in your house that your body is reacting to. Mold is often the named culprit; however, it isn’t always mold. To determine what is causing your health concerns you need to investigate. It could be a number of things, including personal care products, household cleaners, work environment, medications, or something else! Finding the cause is similar to looking for a needle in a haystack. A good way to start is by asking yourself a series of questions so you can narrow down the problem area.

• Does anyone smoke indoors?
  • If so, take it outdoors or quit. For help quitting go to Smokefree.gov.
• Have you done any remodeling, added insulation, installed new flooring, purchased new furniture, curtains, or shelves?
  • You may have a problem with VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

• Does your home have a musty or mildew smell?
• Is your dryer vented to the outside of your house?
• Does everyone in your home turn the bathroom fan on when showering?
• Does the bathroom fan work? If you are unsure, do the “Toliet Paper Test.”
• Where does the bathroom fan vent? It should vent outside your home.
• Do you see water in the crawl space or around the foundation of your house?
• Do you have water leaks around your plumbing fixtures?
• Are your gutters clean and attached to downspouts that direct water away from your home’s foundation?
  • Any of the above may contribute to mold problems. Click here to learn more about mold and mold cleanup. Mold is a moisture issue, so you need to find the source of moisture. Repair all leaks and maintain the indoor humidity level below 50 percent.

• When was the last time you changed the air filter for the heating and cooling system?
  • Click to learn more about the importance of good ventilation in your home.
• Do you vacuum carpets and damp mop hard surface floors at least once a week?
  • You should vacuum your carpet at least once a week and daily in high traffic areas.
• Do you have cockroaches and pests in your home?
  • There are easy things you can do to prevent pests in your home. Always store food in sealed containers; seal cracks and holes around plumbing fixtures; take away their hiding places by removing at least one-third of your clutter; and keep your home clean. Click here for more tips of managing pests.

Sometimes we blame our home, when it could be our behaviors that are causing health problems in the home.  Start with this list and always check with a medical professional. For more information visit the links below.

University of Georgia Extension Healthy Homes

EPA – Protecting Children’s Environmental Health

Asthma Home Environment Checklist