Embedded Files
Many of us we spend more than eight hours a day in our home, but we rarely think about keeping our house healthy and safe. In this blog, we discuss the common problems we have at home and the effective solutions.
Water Ponding, Moisture and Mould
A water pond is still water that collects mud and nutrients and encourage the growth of pest and insects. These pests are uncomfortable and can transmit diseases.
Moisture is water vapour and is harmless if the wet area is dried immediately. If a surface is wet all the time, mould may grow. Mould can be smelly and uncomfortable and can cause an allergic reaction to some people.
Consider these steps for a chemical free home remedy to prevent mosquitoes:
Cleaning or removing containers that stores still water.
Installing drains around your house to eliminate water ponding.
Installing an exhaust fan in bathrooms if you can’t open the windows.
Fixing any water leaks in your roof and walls.
Painting the interior with anti-mould paints.
Pests
Cockroaches, mice and other pests can spread diseases. While poisoning is a common solution, it can also cause harm to people or allergies to some. A healthy home should keep your home pest free, as well as chemical free. Remedies include:
Keeping food in air-tight containers.
Sealing up the rubbish bag every night.
Regular Cleaning
Cleaning removes dust mite that can cause an allergic reaction. Cleaning keep your home pest free without using harsh chemicals. Regular cleaning can be overwhelming, some solutions you can do include:
Purchasing a robot vacuum cleaner for daily vacuuming. A vacuum robot is an incentive for keeping the floor tidy as the robot will stop working otherwise.
Employing a cleaner for a weekly bathroom, toilet, bed sheet cleaning and dusting the curtains.
Minimising stuffed toys on bed.
Injuries
The best way to prevent injuries at home is to consult with every family member, record any injuries and near misses regularly to identify any risks.
Make it fun to find solutions with your family and the kids every month to solve all risks.
Think about these:
Are curtains, cloths and bedding away from heaters or fireplaces?
Do you have sufficient lights on stairs and hallways?
Have you removed all floor clutter on walkways?
Family with young children:
Are furniture corners round or soft?
Are power outlets covered so children can’t plug things into them?
Are small objects that can choke stored away?
Are sharp objects or knife stored away?
Check if all swimming pool gates are operating as designed.
Remove choking objects and batteries.
Contaminant and chemicals:
Indoor air quality is not visible, but it can cause irritation, discomfort, and/or illness.
Have you reduced and disposed all unnecessary chemicals?
Have you locked any remaining chemical in a safe place, and check fortnightly that packaging is intact?
Can you use paint, glue and hobby products that contain VOC (volatile organic chemicals) in an open area? If not, is the space well ventilated?
If your home was built before 1980’s, check the paint for lead content. You should engage an expert to test for lead paint if in doubt. As a minimum, take samples of the paint and send to ‘NATA Accredited Laboratories’ to test for lead in paint. You can Googled for your nearest laboratories. The test should cost only a few hundred dollars, which is inexpensive for your peace of mind.
If your home was built before 1980’s and you plan to renovate, contact an expert and check the walls and building products for asbestos.
Keep your home safe by installing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
Regular maintenance:
Repair those broken windows, walls, and minor items. Seal the gaps under doors. Spend an hour a week to fix up minor items, which will keep your house warm, cozy, and save you money in the future by avoiding major costs.
Tracking & Improving
The list above is only a starting point. Involve every member of the family. Keep some scores and make it fun for everyone.
Call or ask us a question if you want to learn more about your project.
Disclaimer: We assume no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions. The information is for general purposes only with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness, or timeliness. You must engage a suitable consultant for your specific situation.
Google Sites
Report abuse