You go to great lengths to keep your family safe and protected every time you step out your front door. But are you also just as attentive when it comes to providing the very safest environment inside your home’s walls? Take this simple quiz to find out if you are in the know” when it comes to doing everything right for protecting loved ones in your home.
1. True or False: Your home is your haven, and your family is safest there than anywhere else in the world.
The answer is false. While many people do feel most comfortable in their home environment, they can also be most at risk there, too, because that is where they spend the most time. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that common pollutants are in higher concentration (as high as five times the strength) in your own home than they are outside. These facts can be great cause for alarm, but the good news is that there are some easy steps you can take to safeguard your family and your home. For instance, read labels on household cleaning products, since many contain dangerous chemicals. Look for eco-friendly alternatives. Also look to your food pantry for natural items you can use instead of commercial cleaning products that can do the same job. For example, baking soda offers a non-toxic way to clean countertops and appliances, while a mix of lemon juice and vegetable oil can safely polish wood furniture. In addition, limit or avoid the use of pesticides, which can also cause health problems.
2. True or False: Mold spores can be a source of serious health risks in your home.
The answer is true. People with allergies and asthma are often particularly susceptible to the effects of mold, which can grow in damp, wet areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. Some of the symptoms a mold allergy can cause include sneezing and congestion as well as itchy eyes, nose, and throat. If you have asthma, breathing in mold can also bring on wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing. To prevent mold from growing in your home, use exhaust vans that are vented to the outside in strategic areas, and use a cool mist humidifier to keep air moist. But be sure to change the water daily. Finally, if any flooding occurs in your home, be sure to have carpets, curtains and other fabrics washed and dried within 24 hours to prevent mold from growing.
3. True or False: It is important to go through every room of your home and identify any potential health risks and determine how best to address them.
The answer is true. There can be a variety of danger spots lurking throughout your home, especially if you have young children. Experts suggest taking inventory of risky areas and coming up with a plan to eliminate the dangers. Some easy, but important, things that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends you do to protect your family include using childproof covers on your electrical outlets, adding window locks to prevent falls, setting your water temperature to 120 degrees to prevent scalding, removing small items that could pose choking hazards for toddlers, keeping medication and toxic substances out of reach of small family members, and using safety gates to block off stairways and other dangerous areas.
Life & Health Newsletter
Sign up for your FREE subscription for helpful information on how to manage your bladder control problems.
You also get lifestyle information, healthy living tips and expert Q&A to help you live life to the fullest.
