You’ll be spending at least half of your life inside your home, which is why it’s vital to keep the space safe and clean. Neglecting the importance of safety and cleanliness will make your home a breeding ground of germs and bacteria, which can eventually take a toll on your health.
There is no need to drastically change your schedule or invest in expensive equipment just to keep your home in tiptop condition. By following the tips presented below, you can enjoy living in a safe and clean space in no time.
Get Your Home Tested
Harmful gases, such as radon, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde gas, can be deadly at high levels. For instance, excessive radon exposure can cause lung cancer, which is the second most common cancer among men and women. Carbon monoxide and formaldehyde gas can cause severe symptoms, such as nausea, skin irritation, and burning sensation in the eyes.
Keep your family safe from the dangers of these gases by hiring professionals to test your home. There are now companies equipped with tools to detect the presence of hazardous gasses indoors and develop courses of action to reduce or normalize the levels of these gases.
By having your home tested for hazardous gases, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that the entire household is free from radon, formaldehyde gas, and dangers of carbon monoxide. This is especially important if you have kids at home.
Quit Nicotine
Do you know that the nicotine addiction of one family member can adversely affect the health of the entire household? Second-hand smoke causes several health problems among infants and children, namely respiratory infections, severe asthma attacks, and even sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS.
You can keep your home safe and clean by making sure that nobody in your household smokes. If you or your family member tried quitting smoking but failed numerous times, talk to healthcare professionals. They can assess the severity of your nicotine addiction and customize a plan to help you quit smoking.
Ditch Pesticides
Pesticides are easy solutions to get rid of mice, roaches, ants, and lawn pests around your property. However, overexposure to these products can put children at risk of health problems, such as learning disabilities, problems with brain development, and asthma. Adults can also suffer from short-term adverse health effects, namely rashes, dizziness, and diarrhea.
Instead of relying on pesticides to keep your home pest-free, focus on prevention. You can keep roaches away by regularly emptying the trash, sealing cracks and holes to get rid of entry points, and removing items that roaches can use as shelters.
To prevent lawn pests from infesting your plants, pull out weeds as often as possible. Lawn pests depend on grass for shelter and food, and will eventually die if your lawn doesn’t provide them with this resource. Plus, pulling out weeds is a great exercise that can help you stay in shape.
You can also make natural pesticides using items commonly found in your home. If you want to get rid of mites and aphids, you can use a solution made from vegetable oil and mild soap. You can also mix pureed garlic, onion, and a teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder as an all-around insecticide in your home.
Be Wary Of Canned Foods And Plastic Bottles
Bisphenol A or BPA is an organic synthetic compound used in the production of polycarbonate plastics (like baby bottles and water bottles) and epoxy resin (used to create line metal products, such as canned foods).
Studies show that BPA has adverse health effects on the brain and prostate glands of infants and children. BPA may also affect children’s behavior as overexposure to the chemical has been linked to higher levels of depression, anxiety, inattention, and hyperactivity.
Keep your entire family safe from BPA by:
- Opt to use baby and water bottles made from polyethylene or polypropylene as these materials are safer than BPA. Avoid using plastic bottles marked with ‘PC’ as these would leach out high levels of BPA after long-term use.
- Never microwave plastic containers as heat can break down plastic fibers. This can cause BPA to dissolve and contaminate your food. Instead, use ceramic or glass containers when heating or storing food.
- Minimize consuming canned foods at home. If possible, cook meals from scratch or grow your garden at home.
Stay Committed In Your Efforts
Maintaining the safety and cleanliness of your home requires long-term commitment, so make sure that you implement these tips regularly. Your efforts will be worth it in the long run as your family will be safe from various health issues!
