How do you keep your home healthy?  They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  While illness at home is inevitable, prevention is still best.  Here are some tips to keep your home healthy.

Try Dry – A dry home prevents the growth of molds that in turn can trigger asthma attacks and other allergic reactions in the residents.  Water and moisture also attracts cockroaches, rodents, and results in dust mites — again increasing the risk of asthma attacks.  Preventing moisture is a key step towards health.  You first line of defense should be your windows and doors.  Prevent water from entering your home by making sure that windows and doors are installed correctly and sealed tightly.  Using exhaust fans, opening windows, and doors frequently to enhance airflow and having proper roof ventilation are also important steps in moisture control.

Cleanliness and Maintenance – Clean homes have minimal dust and clutter.  Researchers and medical experts have proven that dust sensitizes individuals and can trigger asthma attacks.  Nearly two-thirds of dust in our homes comes from the outdoors.  A dust-free home is almost impossible to realize.

However, we can reduce the amount of dust we bring in from outside by designing entry systems to help remove dust from our shoes before we enter our homes.  Filters for heating, ventilation and cooling systems are also effective in reducing dust particles.  Reducing excessive moisture and relative humidity also lessens dust mites.  In all cases, it is helpful to build homes with materials that are easy to clean,  Clutter contributes to increased levels of dust to gather.  Keeping floors and countertop areas clear, particularly near vents, will prevent dust from building up.  While insufficient housekeeping can be a factor in dust build-up, an overcrowded setting also plays a role.

Pest-free Heaven – All pest look for food, water, and shelter.  That is why homeowners have to be vigilant about sealing cracks and openings throughout the home.  They should store food in pest-resistant containers and use non-toxic pesticides, such as boric acid powder.

Stay tuned for the KEEPING YOUR HOME HEALTHY – PART 2 ….