What should you do?
Research suggests that we spend about 90% of our time indoors, and almost two-thirds of that time is in our homes! A healthy safe home means less exposure to contaminants, less clutter, and a more comfortable living environment. Below are eight actions you can take now to make your indoor environment healthy and safe for you and your family.
- Keep your home DRY
- Keep your home CLEAN
- Keep your home VENTILATED
- Keep your home PEST-FREE
- Keep your home SAFE
- Keep your home CONTAMINANT-FREE
- Keep your home MAINTAINED
- Keep your home TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED & GREEN
Keep Your Home Dry
Mold problems are moisture problems. When moisture enters your home it creates a welcoming environment for pests and mold, both of which can lead to respiratory problems. Follow these simple steps to help keep your home dry.
- Find and fix water leaks.
- Maintain indoor humidity below 60 percent.
- Keep gutters clean and water away from your home’s foundation.
- Use exhaust fans in kitchen and bathrooms.
- Repair leaky windows and doors.
Learn more about mold prevention and cleanup
Keep Your Home Clean
Do you know what’s in the dirt in your home? It’s full of things like lead dust, pollen, pesticides, and insect fragments. The first four steps you take inside your front door bring in close to 85% of the outdoor contaminants found indoors. The best way to reduce the dust in your home are to add doormats by external doors and remove your shoes when you come indoors. Follow these simple steps to keep your home clean and clutter-free.
- Clean floors and surfaces regularly with a damp mop and microfiber cloth.
- Use a HEPA vacuum. If that doesn’t fit your budget, use a vacuum with a HEPA air filter and vacuum often.
- Reduce clutter. Start in one room and remove one-third of the clutter.
- Make your own green cleaning products.
Keep Your Home Ventilated
A well-ventilated home filters and then circulates clean, fresh air to promote better respiratory health. Proper ventilation can reduce your exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), allergens, mold, carbon monoxide, and more. Follow these simple steps to keep your home well-ventilated.
- Use kitchen and bath exhaust fans when cooking and bathing.
- Do the toilet paper test to make sure the exhaust works properly.
- Change air filters regularly on heating/cooling units.
- Clean dryer lint traps.
- If you have fireplaces, make sure the flues are clear and open when a fire is lit.
Learn more about what is in your air
Keep Your Home Pest-Free
Of course you want to keep your home free of pests, but you may not realize how much harm bugs, rodents, and other pests can cause. Exposure to pests, such as mice and cockroaches has been linked to asthma in children. To control pests, people often use pesticides which can cause further problems. The best way to control pests is to make your house less inviting. Follow these simple steps to make your home less inviting for all pests.
- Seal cracks and crevices with copper mesh, expanding foam, or caulk.
- Eliminate sources of food and water by putting food in sealed containers and repairing leaks and dripping faucets.
- Use trash containers with sealable covers.
- Remove hiding places for pests, by removing clutter.
More information on dust mites, roaches, bedbugs, and more resources on pests
Keep Your Home Safe
Falls are the leading cause of unintentional death in the home, followed by poisoning, choking, drowning and fire. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventioin (CDC) estimate the costs associated with falls for people age 65 and over are more than $34 billion a year. Improving the safety of your home is important not only for older adults, but also for the entire family. Safety begins at home by reducing the likelihood of accidents and making your home a much healthier place to live. Follow these simple steps to make your home a safer place for children and adults of all ages.
- Use the Home Safety Checklist to review your home and see which areas can be made safer.
- Childproof Your Home using this room-by-room safety checklist.
- Keep Hazardous Products out of reach of pets and children.
- Beware of “look-alike” products that may lead to accidental poisonings.
More about making your home safe
Keep Your Home Contaminant-Free
There are many potentially dangerous things in your home, including radon, lead paint, asbestos, tobacco smoke, carbon monoxide, mercury, pesticides, and household chemicals. Below are tips for controlling contaminants in your home.
- Radon in your home can lead to lung cancer. The only way to know if you have this invisible, odorless gas is to test your home.
- Lead can be found in the soil, water, and some consumer products.
- Asbestos may be found in a wide range of building materials in older homes, including insulation, flooring, roofing, and textured paint. The best thing to do is to leave it alone or hire a professional to remove it.
- Well water needs to be tested for contaminants. Contact your Extension Office and test your water quality.
- Tobacco – Turn your home into a smoke-free zone.
- Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer that can be prevented.
- Hazardous Household Products need to be stored out of reach of children and pets and disposed of properly.
- Leave medications and cleaning products in original packaging. Avoid leaving medications on the counter or in an accessible handbag.
Keep Your Home Maintained
Your home is your biggest financial investment. Keeping your home maintained can protect you from moisture and pest problems, structural damage, and spending extra time and money on repairs that could have been prevented. Follow these simple steps to keep your home maintained.
- Check your home for “curb appeal.”
- Clean gutters and downspouts.
- Change the air filters and inspect heating and cooling system.
- Maintain septic system.
- Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors.
Use the UGA Home Maintenance Checklist.
Keep Your Home Green
A green home is one that makes simple changes to conserve energy and natural resources. These changes will not only reduce your carbon footprint, but also save you money on energy and water, and create a healthier living space.
Learn about going green by visiting UGA Greenway.
More Housing Resources
More information about housing and the home environment is available on the UGA Extension Housing website.