A Healthy Home is a Happy Home

Most of us have spent lots of money, time, and energy furnishing, decorating, and maintaining our home. Appearance and comfort is important, but sometimes things that are crucially important to your family's happiness might not be readily apparent to the naked or untrained eye. How healthy is the air in your home? Do you know? If not, it might be time to find out. Here are some pointers for keeping the air in your home safer for the sake of your family's good health:

• Pressure wash the exterior and roof of your home to control mold and algae growth.
• Get rid of or ensure proper containment of old or unused toxic chemicals, cleaners, etc.
• Clean up any chemical spills immediately, with the proper procedures, before the spill has a chance to contaminate the air, food prep areas, etc.
• Replace any carpeting or ceiling materials that have been damaged by water.
• Have an inspection done by a professional to ensure that you have the proper number of air exchanges for the size of your home through your AC/Heating system.
• If you plan to paint, refinish furniture, or do deep cleaning make sure that you have proper ventilation in place before doing so.
• Schedule yearly, professionally done, maintenance for your AC system.
• Ensure that there is proper ventilation fans operating in high humidity and moisture areas like bathrooms.
• Control and discourage mold growth by using products that absorb moisture halting a problem before it begins. If you see signs of mold, attack it immediately before it has a chance to spread into structural systems like walls, flooring, etc. If the mold has already spread, don't try to deal with it yourself, consult a professional who will be able to determine if the mold is harmless or of a toxic variety.
• Using a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter will help to reduce contaminants and allergens. HEPA filters retain 99.97% of most bacteria and allergens.

If you suspect that you have a problem, contact a local, licensed, professional who specializes in mold and air quality testing.

Some symptoms that your family may be suffering from 'sick house syndrome' are:

• Complaints about eye, nose, and throat irritations
• Frequently poor general health
• Skin rashes or irritations
• Allergic reactions that are random and
• Altered smell and taste senses

Health is the one thing that, without it, nothing else really matters. Don't take it lightly, make sure, especially if you suspect that you might have a 'sick home,' that you take action to address the problem. A healthy home really IS a happy home!