We spend a lot of time in our homes. Make sure that your house is not affecting the well-being of your family members. Here are six ways to maintain a healthy and safe home.
Order a Radon Test
Because radon is a colorless and odorless gas, it can be present in your home without your knowledge. Test for radon to keep your home healthy and safe. Most home improvement stores sell radon test kits, however, hiring a professional to perform a test yields more accurate results. If you find that you have elevated levels of radon, you will need to have a mitigation system installed to reduce the radon in your home.
Eliminate Mold to Keep a Healthy and Safe Home
Mold can be caused by a leaking roof, rain coming inside an open window, or wet laundry left in a pile on the floor. Mold is serious and can cause health issues. Take steps to prevent mold growth in your living spaces. If you discover mold in your home, have it removed as soon as possible and fix the issue that caused it.
Test Your Smoke Detectors
House fires put your family and home in danger. This is why you need to have smoke detectors properly installed throughout the house. They help keep you safe by sounding an early alert in case of fire. Test the detectors monthly and replace the batteries twice a year. If you find that they aren’t working, fix or replace them immediately.
Avoid VOCs
To maintain a healthy and safe home, reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are chemicals that off-gas from products like fuel, paint, pesticides, particleboard furniture, and paint thinners. While you may use these items, don’t store them in your home. Keep them in a detached shed or in your garage. Exposure to VOCs can be detrimental to your health. Don’t use them in small, enclosed spaces without sufficient ventilation.
Filter Drinking Water for a Healthy and Safe Home
There may be contaminants in your drinking water. Request a water quality report from your utility company and buy a filtration system based on your local water. Water filters are available in pitchers for drinking water, as devices attached to the sink, or as a whole-house filtration system.
Clean Your Home Often
One of the easiest ways to keep your home healthy and safe is by cleaning it often. Declutter your living spaces so dust and allergens have fewer places to collect. Make sure to dust regularly and focus on areas that receive a lot of traffic. Wipe your counters, scrub the toilets, and clean the showers. Vacuum and sweep the floors and open up the windows on moderate days to bring fresh air inside.
Nico Home Inspections provides home inspections to Southeast Florida. Contact us to schedule our services.