When it comes to safe places, most people would put their homes at the top of the list. Unfortunately, while our homes do offer some protection from the hazards of the outside world, they can also have dangers of their own. Depending on your home’s construction or even something as simple as your cleaning process, your home may have risks that could pose a very real threat to your family’s well-being.
Here’s what to look for (and what to change):
Clean Your Carpet
The joy of kicking off our shoes and sinking our feet into the soft, luxurious carpet is one many of us look forward to after a hard day at work. However, not many people realize that carpets can be the source of a great deal of risk in the home. This is because they hold dirty, making them the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Carpets are the ideal home for dust mites, microscopic bugs that can cause havoc for those with allergies.
With this in mind, if you have carpets in your home, regular and professional cleaning is essential, as is (almost) daily vacuuming. Another option, especially if allergies are a concern, is to opt for laminate or hardwood floors instead and use rugs, which can be pulled up and thoroughly cleaned outside.
Remove Old Construction Materials
If your property is not brand new there could also be issues with the materials used in its construction. The main culprit is asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally-forming mineral that may have been used as a general building material in your home, especially if it was built before the late 1970s (and in some vinyl flooring in homes built before 1972-1973, too).
Asbestos is linked to fatal cancers like mesothelioma, lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, and ovarian cancer and is most dangerous when disturbed and the tiny particles are released into the air. If you suspect asbestos is present in your home, it is vital to find a qualified Asbestos Removal Company to assess the situation, and then complete any associated work for you. It could honestly be a matter of life and death.
Watch Out for Toxic Cleaning Chemicals
Your home may have risks based on what you use for cleaning. Certain cleaning agents can leave a residue that slowly seeps into the environment over time. These products may also be responsible for breathing difficulties and even irritation and burns on the skin.
To that end, steering clear of cleaning products with harsher ingredients is the best approach. Instead, opt for homemade cleaning agents crafted from natural supplies. They are often the most effective anyway!
Making Active Change
Awareness of your home’s potential risks is the first step. Although this post may make you nervous or think differently about what you have (or do) within your walls, it is not meant to scare you. The most important action to take is to consider what you do and how it may or may not be impacting your loved one’s health and safety.
From there, make some changes to ensure your home is the best it can be!
For other home improvement tips, click here.
Featured Image Credit: Dan Gold
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