It can be a pain to practice maintenance measures around the house. Eliminating mold and mildew, covering up cracks and holes, and calling pest control all involve certain hassles and sacrifices. But remember that these measures serve a purpose, and it’s not just to make sure your home looks good. A lot of maintenance measures are necessary for the health and safety of those living under that roof. Some of them even help you cut costs on your bills. Here are some tips for a safer and healthier home.
Be aware of and address any water damage
Moisture is the breeding ground of many kinds of bacteria and is also the reason for the formation of mold. Mold is more than just an unsightly growth in the corners of your home. Exposure to it can aggravate allergies and asthma and even cause chronic lung disease.
One way to control moisture in your home is to open the windows now and then. In rooms that are most prone to moisture buildups, such as kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms, make sure you take extra measures for moisture control. You can waterproof your ceilings, invest in dehumidifiers, and clean using mold-killing products. If there is already significant water damage in certain parts of your house, it may be time for a kitchen or bathroom remodeling. When repainting rooms, make sure to apply mold inhibitors before the paint itself. It also helps to let your laundry dry outside — this also cuts costs on your electricity bill since you won’t have to use your dryer.
Caulk cracks and holes
Small cracks and holes aren’t a threat to your home’s structural integrity, but they are an invitation for pests to enter your home. Cover them up with plaster or drywall. See to it that you also throw out chopping boards with cracks in them — you’ll miss the crevices when you’re cleaning them, so bacteria can live in there.
Flex your green thumb
Having plants around is always a good idea. Not only do they give us oxygen and cleaner air, but their presence is scientifically proven to benefit our mental health as well. You can even take things a step further and grow your own vegetable garden. Gardening is an especially great group activity if you have kids in the house. Allowing children to interact with plants can foster an appreciation for the environment and other living things. Children who participate in gardening activities are also more likely to eat fruits and vegetables than those who don’t.
Install stair gates
This is something you should seriously consider if you have both children and the elderly living in your home. Older adults are more vulnerable to injuries and fatalities connected to falls. Worldwide, falls are the second leading cause of accidental deaths, with adults over the age of 65 being the most prone to them. Install stair gates at the top and bottom of the stairs as a line of defense against falls in your home.
Eliminate silent killers
Even when you think your home is as safe as can be, there are still dangers that may be lurking without your knowledge. These are called silent killers because they may be in our homes but cannot be detected by our senses alone. Carbon monoxide, asbestos, radon, and lead are some examples. You can find out if your home has any of these by purchasing the corresponding test kits for these silent killers or contacting an expert for an inspection of your home.
Think of the animals, too
Remember that your pets are also prone to danger. Winter is the time of the year to bust out the antifreeze, which is a dangerous substance for your pets — and children. Unfortunately, pets and children can be attracted to it because of the sweet taste that’s due to the ethylene glycol. In cats and dogs, even small amounts of antifreeze can lead to fatal kidney failure.
Call pest control
This may seem like a no-brainer to you. But one thing that might surprise you is that you should also do this in or before the start of winter. While winter isn’t the peak season for pests, the cold weather may prompt unwanted guests to sneak into your home for some warmth and shelter.
Make sure you have the necessary safety equipment
Of course, you need to make sure you have safety equipment at home and that they’re in good working condition. Since winter is fast approaching, this is a good idea, because the seasonal celebrations and decorations are more likely to cause house fires. For example, smoke detectors need to have their batteries checked once a month according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). If the smoke alarm is ten years past its manufacturing date, you need to replace it.
Keeping your home a safe and healthy place for you and your family to live should be taken seriously. Make sure to take the time and effort to practice the proper maintenance measures around the house to ensure a long and healthy life for you and your loved ones.
