We tend to think of our homes as clean and safe, perhaps the safest place on Earth. This is an especially comforting thought if you’re raising a family! But there are actually a lot of hygiene risks in the average home, and it’s possible you’re not considering them all properly.
Let’s take a look at a few of the most common hygiene risks in people’s homes and what you can do to tackle the problems. Some of these problems may not sound that disastrous to you, but do not underestimate them! Leaving them to linger in your home could endanger the health of you and your family, so get them resolved as soon as possible.
Lead
Can you say for certain how old your house is? If your home was built before 1978, it could still have many lead fixtures. The government outlawed many lead-based materials in house development in the late seventies, but the houses that were built before then may still be at risk, with lead paint and pipes among the most common lead features.
If your building is more than a couple of decades old, you should look into getting a lead test kit. If you find lead, then you need tell your landlord or get the issue resolved yourself as soon as possible. A landlord will be legally obligated to resolve the problem. If you own the property, then what you need is a certified lead abatement contractor. The EPA website has more information about these risks.
Mold
High levels of moisture in your home can create a lot of problems, including warping and bugs. But when moisture locks into particular areas of your structure, then a breeding ground for bacteria can form. The walls get damp, and this damages the plaster and paint. Mold will start to appear. These usually take the form of black or dark green spots, and they’re often found in corners and around windows.
All that mold creates bacteria that can cause a lot of health problems. Skin issues can occur, as can respiratory problems. And if you’re allergic to mold, then you may suffer worse ailments such as a fever or even a lung illness. ‘Unpleasant’ doesn’t even begin to cover it! One of the best ways to resolve this issue is to open windows periodically. If the issue occurs frequently around your windows, you may want to consider replacement windows that don’t suffer from rot.
HVAC problems
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. How can a problem with the system that provides these cause hygiene problems? Well, a lot of people don’t keep their HVAC system properly maintained. In fact, many people don’t even think about checking the system out unless they already know there’s a problem with it.
But maintaining a clean HVAC system is very important. After all, it can determine the safety of the air flowing through your home! So ensure that you clean it on a semi-regular basis. If there are unsanitary elements around or even in your HVAC system, then that will be spread throughout your home.
