I Think My Home Is Making Me Sick

One of our missions as a company to reduce illnesses triggered by unhealthy indoor environments. Indoor air quality is typically the biggest single in whether you house is making you sick. At least 80,000 new chemicals have be invented since the end of WW2. Probably the majority we really don’t want in our lungs. Here are some simple tips to make your home a healthier place to live.

· Ensure adequate exhaust ventilation from your home to avoid condensation and the buildup of pollutants and vapors, particularly in bathrooms and kitchen.

· Be careful to not store garden or strong cleaning products inside your home. We have found some really questionable chemicals under kitchen sinks and in laundry rooms.

· Empty trash regularly and keep it in rodent resistant containers.

· Don’t leave dirty laundry on the floor.

· If soil under your home is damp, or heaven forbid has standing water in the winter, make sure the rain water from the roof and surrounding slopes flow away from the house. If the soil under your home is still damp after controlling this drainage, have heavy vapor barrier material to cover exposed soil.

· Instead of dry dusting, dust with a damp or treated cloth or Swiffer type duster that captures dust and pollen instead of re-suspending these particles.

· If your home was built before 1978 be careful to reduce lead-related hazards by controlling paint flakes or otherwise deteriorated paint. Most hardware stores carry easy to use testers to determine if paint has lead in it.

· Be sure cracks and openings throughout the home are sealed so pests, pollen, and dust can’t get in, and your warmed or cooled air can’t escape.

· Don’t leave food on the counters uncovered after meals. Promptly place leftovers in air tight containers and refrigerate.

· If you still using gas appliances in your home, be sure to have functioning carbon monoxide detectors. Crack a window and be sure to use your range hood whenever your gas oven is burning.

· Keep a fire extinguisher conveniently located, and remember (duh) where it is kept.

· Change or replace your air handler filters at least once a year, more often if your home is located in a dusty environment.

· Be sure your comfort system thermostat is programmable, and that it is programmed correctly .