Handy Helpful Blog

Home is where we should feel safe and protected. You can make various improvements to your home to enhance its wellness and health. Home is where you create beautiful memories and where you spend most of your time. If you cannot feel comfortable and safe in your home, then that is just a building, not a home. You can transform your home and make it more stylish or secure.

Improvement Tips for a Healthier Home

Close your window to prevent pollen and dust from entering your house

Accidents happen, and some unfortunate events can occur unexpectedly; however, you can prevent such hazards by creating a safe haven for your family. The following tips are not only useful, but they are also easy to follow:

• Pollen-Proof Your Home

Pollen, mold, and dust can be harmful to your health and others at home, especially if you are allergic or have asthma. Start by removing the carpet in your bedroom and living room and replacing them with linoleum, flooring, washable rugs, or hardwood.

You can also cover the floor with low-pile carpet so that you can vacuum weekly. If you choose this carpeting, utilize a vacuum cleaner with high-efficiency or small particle particulate air filter. You should also shampoo the carpet regularly.

To prevent pollen buy washable curtains made of synthetic fabric or plain cotton. You should also get rid of your horizontal blinds and get washable shades preferably, the roller type. Remember to close the windows and utilize the air-conditioner, especially during spring. Wipe condensation from the windows and get rid of mold from the sills and frames.

Choose your furnishings wisely. Get chairs and tables that are easy to clean and which don’t have many crannies and cracks that could harbor dust. Upholstered furniture might not be a good choice.

• Keeping Chemicals Away

Doormats keep lawn chemicals and dust away

Did you know that most dirt, bacteria, lawn chemicals, and allergens that enter the house can be prevented easily? You can stop these elements from entering your house by using Waterhog mats. You can place them either indoors or outdoors. Another effective way to keep chemicals at bay is by removing plastic bags from your dry-cleaned clothes to avoid bringing in any traces of perchloroethylene.

• Invest in Vent Fans

Exhaust fans in the bathroom fight condensation, which can cause mold, mildew, and musty odors; these are unhealthy, especially if you have asthma or allergies. Dirty and contaminated air makes breathing difficult. Mold can cause wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing.

Your vent fans can also pose health risks if you don’t keep them clean. Air-conditioners often cool the house; this causes precipitation. There is no problem when your unit is in good condition; however if your AC malfunctions, it becomes a haven for mold and mildew.

• Keep Rodents Away

Leaking taps attract rodents

Rodents are annoying and carry many diseases, and they destroy property and food. It is difficult to kill or get rid of mice or rats because they can squeeze in tiny spaces. Seal all gaps, no matter how small they appear. Check your windows, walls, drains, eaves, and any other openings.

Apart from looking for free meals, rodents invade your home to look for water. Get rid of any moisture in your house. Fix all leaks in the attic, basement, kitchen, and bathrooms where these pets might find water.

• Clean the Chimney

Cleaning your chimney regularly prevents airborne diseases as well as carbon monoxide accumulation. Keeping your family safe should be your priority, and you should be able to enjoy the warmth during winter. The chimney also helps to get rid of fumes, smoke, and toxins; that is why it needs to be clean.

The chimney becomes ineffective when creosote accumulates on the inside. The presence of cooler air reduces energy preservation, which means you have to burn more wood to keep warm. Also, when the chimney is clogged, there is an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which is lethal.

• Air Purifier

Did you know that the air in your house might be more contaminated than the outside? This can happen because of poor ventilation; this can trap dust in your house. You are most likely to suffer asthma attacks at home because most triggers are present in your house. These include dust, carbon monoxide, dirt, cosmetics, hairsprays, air fresheners, and dry skin.

Other culprits are roaches, new carpets, and mold spores; all these are asthma triggers. When left to invade your environment, you can inhale them, and this can cause coughing and wheezing. Investing in an air purifier keeps your home from air pollutants. Air purifiers also eliminate odors, which prevent allergies. Some appliances are made to eliminate all allergens like pollen, tobacco smoke, dander, and dust mites.

Conclusion

If you can’t feel safe at home, you won’t feel safe anywhere else. There are many health risks in our homes, and some are not obvious. You can make several improvements to make your home safe for everyone. Keep away asthma, allergies, and rodents by making simple adjustments.