When it comes to your home, the air inside can be up to two to five times more polluted than the air outside (www.thedailygreen.com). Since we spend the majority of our time indoors, why not work to make the air in our homes cleaner?
Don’t allow smoking indoors. Not only is smoking a health risk for those who smoke, but it is also a health risk for children and other people living in the home. According to thedailygreen.com, “Each year, second hand smoke sends 7,500-15,000 children aged 18 months or younger to the hospital. Hundreds of thousands of children will develop respiratory tract infections from second hand smoke this year.”
Don’t run any fuel-burning engines in the garage. Running such engines in a confined space is capable of causing many health issues such as: weakness, nausea, disorientation, unconsciousness and even death.
Test your home for harmful gases. Gases such as Carbon Monoxide and Radon can have serious effects on all who live in the home and are difficult to detect on your own.
Beware of harmful paint. Without knowing it, you might be letting harmful gases into your home just by painting the walls. Whether or not the paint smell is gone, certain paints emit harmful gases. To avoid this, use low or no-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints. Also, beware of paint in older homes, because many old homes were painted with lead based paints.
Fix leaks. When there are leaks in homes, water and humidity can freely enter your home and cause issues such as mold or mildew, which can in turn cause asthma symptoms and other health problems. You can also avoid these issues by cleaning out your air conditioner and dehumidifier.
Avoid toxic products. Many products such as cleaning products, pesticides, and hairspray emit potentially harmful toxins into the air, polluting the air inside your home. According to thedailygreen.com, some of the VOCs in these products include substances linked to cancer, headaches, eye and throat irritation and worsened asthma.
Keep your kitchen ventilated. Scientists who measured indoor air quality found that cooking a single meal on a gas stove can produce levels of nitrogen dioxide that the EPA considers unsafe to breathe (www.thedailygreen.com). While cooking, it is best to keep your kitchen ventilated by opening a window.
Heeding such tips can save you money in the long run by protecting the health of you and your loved ones and the condition of your home. Something else that can save you money in the long run when it comes to your home is a great Florida homeowners insurance policy. Call us today if you wish to purchase insurance on your home or if you would like us to requote you with another company to get you a better quality policy that can save you money.
Westgate-Jones Insurance Agency
352-787-7548
www.westgatejonesinsurance.com