We all expect that our home is going to keep us safe and healthy. That’s its main purpose, after all. But what if there were elements in your home that could make you and your family feel ill? The truth is that there is all manner of ways that your home could make your child sick, which is especially daunting news for those who are keeping their kids home. The good news is that there is always something that you can do about it. Here, we’re going to look at some of the problems as well as their solutions.
Be smart about food safety
One health hazard present in all homes, yet often overlooked, is that of food. When not properly prepared or stored, food can become a serious risk to your health. For one, keeping utensils and surfaces as clean as possible, and getting to them quickly after they have been used is key to stopping germs from spread across them. To ensure that your food stays good, learning about effective storage, especially in preventing cross-contamination, is essential. For instance, raw meats should be kept well away from any other type of food, and raw vegetables and fruits should be kept away from others, either. It’s a good idea to not have any leftover rice or deli meats lying around for more than a day, either.
The danger of dust and mold
Dust and mold spores are some of the most common allergens found in any home. Aside from posing a serious risk to any children that live with asthma or allergies, they can be a contributing factor in developing respiratory illnesses, as well. As such, make sure that you’re using products like those from Oneida Air Systems to remove dust from the home as best as possible. Reducing the amount of clutter in the home can also help as it gives dust and other allergens fewer corners and surfaces to cling to, preventing their build-up to some degree. Humidity can also play a major factor in the gathering of dust and mold, so you may want to consider installing a dehumidifier to maintain the overall air quality.
Maintaining the right air quality
Some of the risks we have talked about her are airborne contaminants that can float around in the air and be breathed in or come in contact with an individual’s skin. Aside from the tips on dealing with those specifically, managing the overall air quality in the home is essential. For instance, closing any air leaks into the home with the help of better-insulated windows from American Vision Windows is one way to do just that. Making sure that your ventilation systems are running effectively and replacing their filters once a month can make sure that allergens are being shooed out of the house, as well.
Using the wrong cleaning products
You may think that cleaning vigorously is always the answer, but it’s important to be mindful of how you clean, as well. While clearing away dust and moisture build-ups is key, the products that you use could be doing as just as much harm as good. There are plenty of modern household cleaning products that use potentially dangerous ingredients, from those that can be irritating to the skin and dangerous to inhale, to even carcinogens that can increase the risk of developing serious illnesses down the line. Your best bet is to make sure that you’re using green cleaning products like those shown at Pebble Mag, using mostly natural ingredients with fewer synthetic chemicals in them.
Beware the animal dander
While most people might be able to deal with it fine, any children who have allergies, sensitive skin, or asthma might find that pet dander can be a major annoyance at best and genuinely dangerous to their health, at worst. If you do have a child that has such issues, then restricting the pet’s movements to one part of the home and getting hypoallergenic pets in the future might be the best thing to do. However, if pet dander is a considerable risk, then pest dander can be an even bigger danger since they bring more germs from outside the home and leave droppings that can further contaminate the household. If you see the signs of pests in your home, then having a pest control team come to remove them ASAP is recommended.
Old home construction materials
In new homes, many of the materials that we talk about are not going to be an issue, so they won’t apply equally to everyone. However, if you are in older homes, then there are some risks, in particular, you should be made aware of. Asbestos is perhaps the best-known risk, an old insulation material that has since been linked to very aggressive types of lung cancer, that has been removed from many homes since. Lead paint isn’t dangerous by itself, but when it starts to flake off, it can be inhaled, causing lead poisoning. Radon is the slightly more common one, and as such, you may want to consider a radon testing kit if you live in a home that hasn’t been tested for radon yet.
he hygiene hazard spots in your home
We don’t quite live in the age of the bacteria panic where we believed that sterilizing everything was the key to a healthy life. However, there are some spots in the home where bacteria can gather to dangerous amounts and should be cleaned on a more regular basis. Things that are frequently touched by many people, including doorknobs, light switches, and handles on cupboards and drawers are some that you should be aware of. The bathroom can attract a lot on the faucets, shower head, and glass surfaces due to the moisture, heat, and humidity, too. Be sure to clean these places extra vigilantly.
Most kids spend a lot of time at home, but those who are being homeschooled spend even more time there. For that reason, it’s important to be extra vigilant and ensure that both their learning and living environments are healthy.
