Seven Steps to a Healthy Home

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• Seven Steps to a Healthy Home

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(No Transcript)
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Why Do We Care About Healthy Homes?
Young children spend 66-77 of their time
inside.
Housing affects our health. The air we breathe
and things we touch inside matter.
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Why Do We Care About Healthy Homes?
Young children spend 66-77 of their time
inside.
Housing affects our health. The air we breathe
and things we touch inside matter.
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Why Do We Care About Healthy Homes?

• The condition of your house can affect many
  different health problems, including
• Asthma
• Allergies
• Problems that affect the brain, like lowered IQ
  and behavior and learning problems
• Lung cancer
• Injuries
• Poisonings

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Why Do We Care About Healthy Homes?

• The condition of your house can affect many
  different health problems, including
• Asthma
• Allergies
• Problems that affect the brain, like lowered IQ
  and behavior and learning problems
• Lung cancer
• Injuries
• Poisonings

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Children and seniors are the most vulnerable
Children spend a lot of time indoors Young
children spend 66 77 of their time in their
house.
Seniors spend a lot of time indoors Many older
persons spend up to 90 of their time indoors,
often at home.
Tobacco smoke, pets, and dust Common indoor
environmental hazards can trigger chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma attacks.
Children eat and drink more than adults Pound per
pound, children breathe more air and eat more
than adults. In relation to their body weight,
infants and children eat and drink more than
adults, possibly increasing their exposure to
toxic substances.
Falls Among older adults, falls usually occur in
the house and are the leading cause of hospital
admissions, fractures, and injury death.
Children behave differently Young children like
to explore the world often by crawling. They
also put their hands and other objects in their
mouths as part of their normal behavior.
Seniors can overheat With age, the bodys cooling
mechanisms may become impaired, and living alone
or being confined to a bed can further increase
risk.
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Children and seniors are the most vulnerable
Children spend a lot of time indoors Young
children spend 66 77 of their time in their
house.
Seniors spend a lot of time indoors Many older
persons spend up to 90 of their time indoors,
often at home.
Tobacco smoke, pets, and dust Common indoor
environmental hazards can trigger chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma attacks.
Children eat and drink more than adults Pound per
pound, children breathe more air and eat more
than adults. In relation to their body weight,
infants and children eat and drink more than
adults, possibly increasing their exposure to
toxic substances.
Children behave differently Young children like
to explore the world often by crawling. They
also put their hands and other objects in their
mouths as part of their normal behavior.
Falls Among older adults, falls usually occur in
the house and are the leading cause of hospital
admissions, fractures, and injury death.
Seniors can overheat With age, the bodys cooling
mechanisms may become impaired, and living alone
or being confined to a bed can further increase
risk.
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7 Healthy Homes Principles

• Keep It
• Dry
• Clean
• Ventilated
• Pest-Free
• Safe
• Contaminant-Free
• Maintained

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You Can Take 7 Steps to Make Your Home Healthy

• I want to talk with you about simple steps you
  can take to make your home healthy.
• We will talk about a few things you can do to
  prevent molds, insects, and chemicals from
  triggering asthma, allergy attacks, or
  poisonings.
• Much of what I will tell you comes from this book
  Help Yourself to a Healthy Home. I will tell
  you where in the book you can find more
  information on specific subjects.
• Remember, a healthy home is one that stays dry,
  clean, pest-free, well-ventilated, safe, has no
  contaminants and is well-maintained.

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7 Healthy Homes Principles

• Keep It
• Dry
• Clean
• Ventilated
• Pest-Free
• Safe
• Contaminant-Free
• Maintained

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7 Healthy Homes Principles

• Keep It
• Dry
• Clean
• Ventilated
• Pest-Free
• Safe
• Contaminant-Free
• Maintained

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There are three ways your house gets wet
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There are three ways your house gets wet

1. Rain from the OUTSIDE leaks through the roof,
   walls, foundation or basement
2. Water leaks from showers, toilets or sinks on the
   INSIDE
3. Warm air comes into contact with a cold surface
   such as a window, and CONDENSATION (tiny drops of
   water) forms. (Think about what happens when you
   put water and lots of ice in a glass and sit
   outside on a warm day. What happens to the glass?)

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Keep It Dry
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Keep It Dry

• If there is too much moisture in a house, mold
  will grow.
• Mold produces spores, tiny specks you cant see
  and that float through the air.
• In some people, mold can trigger asthma or
  allergy attacks.
• Here are some places where you might find mold

• In bathrooms, around the shower or tub, and on
  the walls, ceiling, or floor
• In wet or damp basements and crawl spaces
• Around leaky bathroom and kitchen sinks
• Under leaking roofs
• On windows and walls where condensation collects
• In closets
• Under wallpaper or carpet
• In your air conditioner

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Keep It Dry What You Can Do
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Keep It Dry What You Can Do
If you rent or own
If you rent, your landlord should

• Wipe up spills right away.
• Dry wet clothes quickly.
• Wipe down shower walls.
• Use the exhaust fan when showering or cooking.
• Wipe down shower walls with a towel after bathing
  or showering
• Store clothes and towels clean and dry
• Check the humidity in your house with a kit from
  a home electronics or hardware store.
• If your humidity is more than 50, turn on your
  air conditioning (if possible) and turn off your
  humidifier if you use one.
• If you can, use a dehumidifier to dry out damp
  areas.
• Throw away wet carpeting, cardboard boxes,
  insulation and other things that have been very
  wet for more than two days (if you rent, check
  with your landlord before you do this).

• Clean up mold
• Make sure downspouts direct water away from the
  foundation of your house or building
• Repair leaking roofs, walls doors or windows

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7 Healthy Homes Principles

• Keep It
• Dry
• Clean
• Ventilated
• Pest-Free
• Safe
• Contaminant-Free
• Maintained

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7 Healthy Homes Principles

• Keep It
• Dry
• Clean
• Ventilated
• Pest-Free
• Safe
• Contaminant-Free
• Maintained

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Keep It Clean
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Keep It Clean

• Keeping your home clean means less exposure to
  things that can trigger asthma or allergy attacks
  or cause other health problems.
• Lots of dust means lots of dust mites which can
  trigger asthma attacks.
• Cleaning can cut down on pet dander and droppings
  left by cockroaches or mice. Pet dander and roach
  and mice droppings can trigger asthma attacks.
• If there is lead-based paint in your house, you
  may have lead dust. Lead is poisonous and causes
  many serious health problems.
• Clutter can provide a place for cockroaches or
  mice to hide.
• Some sprays or powders used to kill insects or
  mice can cause skin rashes, headaches, dizziness,
  muscle pain and stomach cramps, nausea and
  vomiting, and breathing difficulties.

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Keep It Clean What You Can Do
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Keep It Clean What You Can Do
If you rent or own
If you rent, your landlord should

• Vacuum or wet clean floors regularly.
• Wash bed linens regularly (at least every 2-3
  weeks) in hot water.
• If you can, buy a walk-off mat and put it outside
  of your door so dirt and dust gets trapped there.
• Take your shoes off near the door and leave
  outside dirt and dust on your shoes rather than
  tracked through the house.
• Use a damp cloth for dusting and lightly mist a
  floor for broom sweeping. Wash or dispose of rags
  used for dusting.
• Use cleaning products that are labeled
  non-toxic.
• If you can, invest in a good vacuum that has a
  beater bar on the bottom and can be emptied
  quickly and thoroughly.
• If you can, set up storage areas to reduce
  clutter. Use plastic or cardboard boxes.

• Help you deal with pest problems by sealing up
  cracks and holes
• Consider putting in hard surface floors. They
  show dust more clearly, can be cleaned faster
  and can be damp mopped.

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7 Healthy Homes Principles

• Keep It
• Dry
• Clean
• Ventilated
• Pest-Free
• Safe
• Contaminant-Free
• Maintained

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7 Healthy Homes Principles

• Keep It
• Dry
• Clean
• Ventilated
• Pest-Free
• Safe
• Contaminant-Free
• Maintained

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Keep It Ventilated
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Keep It Ventilated

• The air in your house may be 2 5 times MORE
  polluted than the air outdoors.
• Good ventilation means that fresh air can get
  into your house or apartment and replace stuffy
  or smelly air OR air that is contaminated.
• Poor ventilation can result in higher rates of
  respiratory irritation, common colds, the flu,
  pneumonia, and bronchitis.
• The air in your house can be contaminated with

- mold spores - tobacco smoke. - carbon
monoxide At low levels, carbon monoxide can
cause fatigue. As levels increase, a person may
complain of headaches, dizziness, weakness, or
confusion. At high levels, death can occur.
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Keep It Ventilated What You Can Do
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Keep It Ventilated What You Can Do
If you rent or own
If you rent, your landlord should

• Use exhaust fans when cooking or bathing and
  check that exhaust fans work properly.
• Check that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms work
  properly. Replace batteries twice a year.
• Never use charcoal grills or run engines inside
  your home, garage, or basement, even for a short
  time. Charcoal grills and small gasoline engines
  produce a lot of carbon monoxide that can kill
  you.
• If you use unvented kerosene or gas heaters OR a
  vent-free gas fireplace, follow instructions
  carefully and open a window for fresh air. Do not
  use them while sleeping.

• If necessary, install exhaust fans in the
  bathroom and kitchen that vent to the outside.
• Make sure that there are working smoke and carbon
  monoxide alarms installed.
• Check and take care of the furnace for your home
  or apartment
• Make sure that dryers are vented to the outside
  and that dryer vents remain unclogged.

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7 Healthy Homes Principles

• Keep It
• Dry
• Clean
• Ventilated
• Pest-Free
• Safe
• Contaminant-Free
• Maintained

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7 Healthy Homes Principles

• Keep It
• Dry
• Clean
• Ventilated
• Pest-Free
• Safe
• Contaminant-Free
• Maintained

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Keep It Pest-Free
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Keep It Pest-Free

• Dust mites, cockroaches, and skin flakes from
  mice can trigger asthma attacks.
• Rats can bite and transmit diseases.
• There are health problems associated with using
  pesticides eye, nose, and throat irritation,
  skin rashes, stomach cramps, central nervous
  system damage, kidney damage, increased risk of
  cancer.
• Pesticides can poison young children who
  mistakenly drink them.

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Keep It Pest-Free What You Can Do
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Keep It Pest-Free What You Can Do
If you rent or own
If you rent, your landlord should

• If you rent, and you find cockroaches or mice or
  other pests in your apartment, report it to YOUR
  LANDLORD right away.
• Clean up any open, unsealed food or crumbs (wrap
  and seal any leftover food and put it in the
  refrigerator, or in a cabinet if tightly sealed).
• Do not leave dirty dishes out overnight.
  Cockroaches and mice need water to survive.
• Clean up spills or sticky substances from all
  floors and surfaces.
• Keep your kitchen clean be sure to clean up any
  grease with soapy water and dry off any wet
  areas.
• Sweep, mop, and vacuum regularly.
• Take your garbage to the trash area at least once
  a week (or every evening, if there are any
  cockroaches or mice in your home).
• Clean up clutter and paper piles that can provide
  hiding places for cockroaches and mice.
• Minimize pesticide use. If you use pesticides,
  make sure to follow the directions on the label.

• Make sure that holes in walls, floors and
  ceilings are sealed to prevent cockroaches or
  mice from coming in from the outside.
• Use baits, traps, or gels to kill cockroaches or
  mice and avoid spraying pesticides.
• Repair areas with water leaks or water damage.

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7 Healthy Homes Principles

• Keep It
• Dry
• Clean
• Ventilated
• Pest Free
• Safe
• Contaminant-Free
• Maintained

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7 Healthy Homes Principles

• Keep It
• Dry
• Clean
• Ventilated
• Pest-Free
• Safe
• Contaminant-Free
• Maintained

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Keep It Safe
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Keep It Safe

• Falls, poisonings, and burns are the most common
  causes of injuries in the home.
• Children from 1 14 years and seniors are most
  likely to be injured from falls.
• Infants are most likely to be injured by choking
  or suffocation.
• Children from 1 14 years are most likely to die
  from fires and burns.
• Children can be poisoned when medicines are left
  in unlocked drawers or cabinets or when household
  chemicals are stored in unlocked areas.

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Keep It Safe What You Can Do
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Keep It Safe What You Can Do
If you rent or own
If you rent, your landlord should

• Prevent Slips, Trips, and Falls
• Keep your floors clear of toys, shoes and other
  things that may cause tripping.
• Clean up spills right away to prevent slipping.
• If you have rugs, use non-skid mats and throw
  rugs.
• Poison-Proof Your Home
• Put safety latches on all cabinets and drawers
  with harmful products or put the products where
  children cant reach.
• Prevent Fires and Burns
• A working smoke alarm should be near every
  sleeping area. A working fire extinguisher should
  be near the kitchen stove.
• Plan and practice a fire escape route.
• Keep space heaters out of doorways, halls, or
  other busy areas. Keep them at least 3 feet from
  curtains, bedding, or other things that could
  catch fire.
• Put outlet covers over unused electrical outlets.
• Prevent Choking and Suffocation
• Keep young children away from curtains,
  window-blind cords and extension cords. They can
  get tangled up and suffocate in them.

• Make sure that working smoke alarms are installed
  near every sleeping area.

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7 Healthy Homes Principles

• Keep It
• Dry
• Clean
• Ventilated
• Pest Free
• Safe
• Contaminant-Free
• Maintained

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7 Healthy Homes Principles

• Keep It
• Dry
• Clean
• Ventilated
• Pest-Free
• Safe
• Contaminant-Free
• Maintained

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Keep It Contaminant-Free
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Keep It Contaminant-Free

• If children breathe in or eat dust that is
  contaminated with lead, they can have reduced IQ,
  learning disabilities, impaired hearing, reduced
  attention spans, behavior problems, anemia,
  kidney damage, and damage to central nervous
  system.
• At high enough levels, lead can cause coma,
  convulsions, and death.
• Exposure to smoke from cigarettes increases the
  number of episodes and severity of symptoms for
  children with asthma. It is a risk factor for new
  cases of asthma in children.
• Cigarette smoke is also responsible for 150,000
  to 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections in
  infants and children less than 18 months of age.
• Radon is a naturally-occurring gas that comes
  from the ground. Radon is the 2nd leading cause
  of lung cancer after smoking. It is the leading
  cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers.

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Keep It Contaminant Free What You Can Do
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Keep It Contaminant-Free What You Can Do
If you rent or own
If you rent, your landlord should

• Have children under age 6 tested for lead
  exposure. All children who receive Medicaid
  should be tested for lead at ages 1 and 2.
• Look for the statement lead-free when you buy
  products that are not made in the U.S.
• Do not smoke in the house. If you must smoke, go
  outside.
• Put all pesticides, including baits, out of the
  reach of children.
• Read and follow directions on pesticide product
  labels. When using a pesticide, keep children
  away until it has dried or for the time the label
  recommends.
• Protect your skin, your eyes, and your lungs
  while using pesticides. Always wash your hands
  after use. Never smoke, eat, or drink while using
  a pesticide.
• Put the Poison Control phone number next to your
  phone.
• Never mix two products together unless you are
  certain it is safe to do so. Never mix bleach and
  ammonia.
• Keep all hazardous products, including bleach, in
  a cabinet out of reach of children.
• Buy products in childproof containers and keep
  hazardous products in their original containers.

• Know whether your house or apartment building has
  been tested for lead-based paint (if built before
  1978).
• If there is lead-based paint, take steps to deal
  with it in a safe way.

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7 Healthy Homes Principles

• Keep It
• Dry
• Clean
• Ventilated
• Pest Free
• Safe
• Contaminant-Free
• Maintained

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7 Healthy Homes Principles

• Keep It
• Dry
• Clean
• Ventilated
• Pest-Free
• Safe
• Contaminant-Free
• Maintained

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Keep It Maintained What You Can Do
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Keep It Maintained What You Can Do
If you rent or own
If you rent, your landlord should

• Call your landlord as soon as you notice
  moisture, cockroaches, mice, or holes in your
  apartment.
• If your toilet overflows and you cant get it to
  stop, report it to your landlord immediately.
• If you own, make sure to replace furnace filters
  on a regular basis.
• Clean the grease filter on your stoves range
  hood when any grease builds up if you have
  questions about how to clean the grease filter,
  ask your landlord.

• Fix any water leaks or water damaged areas.
• Fix all cracks and holes.
• Work with you to get rid of cockroaches and mice
  problems.
• Maintain furnaces and hot water heaters in good
  condition and replace furnace filters on a
  regular schedule.
• Try to choose products for cleaning or repair
  that are labeled non-toxic.

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Community Action on Healthy Housing
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Taking Action on Healthy Housing

• Weve just gone over things that you can do to
  keep your house dry, clean, pest-free,
  ventilated, safe, contaminant-free, and
  maintained.
• There may be things your landlord needs to do to
  keep your house healthy that you cant do
  yourself. If he or she isnt doing that, you can
  contact your local department of housing or
  health to find out how a landlord in your
  community is required to maintain their property.
• If you own your house and dont have the money to
  make repairs, there may be a weatherization or
  minor repair program that can help. Contact your
  local community action agency or your local
  housing department.
• If you live in public or Section 8 housing, and
  the property needs repairs, contact your local
  housing authority for help.

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Remember the 7 Steps to a Healthy Home

1. Keep it dry.
2. Keep it clean.
3. Keep it pest-free.
4. Keep it ventilated.
5. Keep it safe.
6. Keep it contaminant-free.
7. Keep it maintained.