Three Respiratory Hazards in Your Home

Do you know if your home is making you and your family sick? There are many reasons that your house could be causing problems like asthma and other respiratory problems. If you know what to look for, you can avoid these issues and keep everyone nice and healthy!

The Problem: Toxic Mold. This is often referred to as "black mold", but it can come in any color, including blue, green, and grey. These molds grow in dank, dark areas of the house, especially under sinks and in walls. The spores can cause respiratory problems, especially in the very young and the very old and may even be deadly to those with allergies.

What to Do: Get rid of it. This often means tearing out the affected areas, since this type of mold can spread very easily. Keep your home well-lit and dry, since mold loves humidity. If you have leaking pipes or a small flood, make sure you fix it and clean up all the water before mold can start to grow. Washing the shower down with bleach also helps prevent toxic mold.

The Problem: Pet Dander. If you have animals in your home, it is quite possible that pet dander and hair is causing the respiratory problems in your family. Many children in particular have allergies and will suffer from asthma when pets are around.

What to Do: Brush your pets frequently and dispose of any excess hair. Talk to your vet about a special shampoo that can reduce the amount of dander. Vacuuming daily can also reduce the problem, but if anyone in your family has severe allergies, you may have to get rid of Fido or Fluffy.

The Problem: Poor Air Quality. Did you know that the air inside your home may contain up to 5% more pollution than the air outside? Most of this is due to the effectiveness of sealants in homes today, we trap air and pollutants indoors. This can cause many problems, particularly breathing issues.

What to Do: Make sure all your appliances are in working order. A gas stove that is not properly adjusted can leak gas into the air. A good hood fan over your stove is necessary to remove smoke and fumes caused by every day cooking. Also, you should avoid smoking indoors or burning incense and scented candles without ventilation. Opening your windows on a daily basis to air the house out is a good idea, as well.

These are just three of the most common causes of respiratory problems in homes today. Prevention is best, so try to keep the house clean and dry to avoid mold build up, reduce the amount of pet fur and dander that is floating around and air the place out to prevent a build up of indoor pollutants. By following these simple steps, everyone should be much healthier.