How your home might be making you sick

by guest writer, Brad Krause

Your home is your sanctuary, the place where you retreat to at the end of a long day. Unfortunately, there are several factors that can contribute to an unhealthy home — and some of them you may not even be aware of. While some of these may not be dangerous, they could be making you and your family sick, so it’s important to be aware of potential problems and learn how to fix them.

This might include improving the air quality in your home, using cleaners that are chemical-free, checking for mold or bacteria, keeping carpets and furniture clean, and ensuring that your HVAC system is in good shape. If you have pets, it’s also a good idea to brush them outdoors regularly to prevent fur and dander from getting trapped in the carpet or A/C filter.

There are many ways you can keep your home safe and healthy for your family.

Clean the air

There are many factors that can contribute to your home’s air quality, which can affect your lungs and can cause a chronic cough. Clean the air by making sure there are no signs of mold in the bathroom or basement, smoking only outdoors, adding plants to each room to boost the oxygen levels, vacuuming regularly and using chemical-free cleansers. You can try natural cleaners or make your own using hot water, lemon and vinegar. Make sure you have a good vacuum that will help keep dust and debris from flying back into the air. Commercial vacuums are a good investment because they have stronger suction power, which allows you to capture more dirt and dust.

It’s also important to make sure you air out your home while doing any improvement projects such as painting, replacing carpeting or using caulk or sealant. The odors caused by these activities can linger in the air and cause breathing issues.

“The whole concept of indoor pollution is pretty new. For a long time, our focus was on what was going on in the environment outside our homes. But in the last decade or so, we’ve realized that the indoor environment can be making you sick,” says expert Jeffrey May.

Install a carbon monoxide detector

Known as the silent killer, carbon monoxide may be present in homes with gas appliances, so it’s important to install a detector that will help keep you and your family safe. Look for one that can be plugged into a regular outlet so you can keep it in the kitchen, or buy a couple so you’ll have one at both ends of the house.

Don’t forget the details

You may pride yourself on a spotless kitchen, but one thing that is often overlooked by even the most aggressive scrubber is the can opener.

“Most people open up a can with their can opener and then just stick it right back in the drawer. Over and over again, sometimes for months or even years. But according to NSF International, a nonprofit public health group which analyzed 14 common kitchen items for the presence of four different types of microorganisms in a 2013 study, it could be a gathering spot for salmonella and E. coli,” according to Natural Living Ideas writer Susan Patterson.

Making sure that your home is free of chemicals, mold, dust and bacteria can help keep you and your family safe and healthy. Go from room to room and look for potential issues and call in a pro for the big jobs such as any problems that involve electricity or plumbing.