Health Starts at Home

Did you wake up with the sniffles again this morning?

If it’s not a cold or seasonal allergies, maybe it’s time to look around. Learn more about how your home could be making you sick—and some simple solutions to health-ify your habitat.

VACUUM FILTERS: Some of the following advice won’t work unless your vacuum has a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter. Other machines will spew allergen-inducing particles back into the air, defeating the purpose of cleaning in the first place. This is especially important if you use a cleaning service—if they’re not using a HEPA filter vac, you’re getting the particles of every other house they clean brought into yours.

FREQUENTLY USED FURNITURE: Dust mites are the worst kind of roommates, thriving on the warmth of human bodies and invading favorite recliners and bedrooms in every home. If you’re prone to allergies, vacuum furniture and wash bedding weekly. Purchase special covers for mattresses and pillows to keep dust mites out for good. (Two reputable sites are Mission Allergy and National Allergy Supply.)

HVAC HAVOC: HVAC is the ideal environment for mold and bacteria because the ducts often condensate during air conditioning. Although there’s no scientific evidence it works, most people who have their air ducts professionally cleaned about every two years report feeling in better health afterward.

THE REFRIGERATOR: Frost-free refrigerators sport a coil to melt frost about every four hours, and a tray underneath the fridge catches the water, where it should evaporate. But it also catches spills from the fridge and can get dusty, creating a mold haven. Check the manufacturer’s guide to see if there is a tray and learn the best way to clean your machine.

LEAKS: People with asthma or allergy-induced breathing problems may be sensitive to any mold in the house. Besides the HVAC, check under sinks and around plumbing, windows and door frames for any leaks that could lead to mold growth. Missing caulk or grout in the bathroom will allow water to seep behind tile, which is unhealthy and expensive to repair. Contact a plumber, roofer or contractor to fix it promptly if

RADON: This invisible, odorless, radioactive gas comes from decaying rocks, soil and water, and sneaks into homes through the soil beneath the house (and some say granite countertops emit it, too). It’s the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, and one in 15 homes has radon levels that should be lower. Purchase a radon test kit at the hardware store, or hire a contractor certified in radon mitigation to test for you.