Your home is where you and your family should be safe. Unfortunately, despite practicing the latest safety precautions, there are still health hazards you may not know about. What’s worse, these health hazards can be something that you may think is perfectly safe.
The following are some of the health risks that should come to light so you’ll be able to make your home safer than it already is:
- Scented Candles
The warm glow of candles can be relaxing and give a sense of comfort to those who enjoy the light they give. Sometimes, lighting candles is acceptable when you need to relax or add extra illumination. But using your scented candles can affect the air quality of the home. Those with asthma and other respiratory ailments should also be discouraged from breathing soot and chemical scents coming from the candles.
- HVAC System
Problems can also arise with your HVAC system without regular proper maintenance. Dirty ducts and clogged filters can recirculate microbes and other contaminants, such as pollen, pet fur, dander, and dirt all over your home. They can cause poor air quality with potential for allergic reactions and diseases, such as Pontiac Fever and Legionnaires Disease, among others. If not detected immediately, leakage can potentially cause carbon monoxide poisoning, too.
It’s important to take action as soon as possible to detect anomalies in your HVAC system, allowing you to control and remove contaminants. Chemical treatments may also be necessary. There’s more information to look at here on HVAC contamination as well.
- Household Cleaning Products
Keeping the home clean is a must, especially when you have children, pets, and sick family members. But the kind of chemicals you keep at home can also endanger the health of your household.
Leaving unsecured cleaning agent bottles can cause poisoning in young children and pets. They can also be harmful, in the long run, when cross-contamination happens, such as touching areas that have been cleaned.
Remember to place cleaning supplies in cupboards or containers that you can put a padlock on. If possible, replace your chemical agents with natural alternatives that won’t damage one’s health.
- Pillows And Bedcovers
There’s no safer place in the house to rest and relax than the bedroom. But even your bed can be home to dangerous fungi, such as Aspergillus fumigatus, that those with immunodeficiencies should stay away from. The same fungi as well as other types may also trigger childhood asthma. Thus, it’s essential to replace pillows every one to two years as they’ll serve as a breeding ground for fungi and microbes.
There’s also the question of how often you should change your sheets. Sheets should be cleaned and laundered every other week as dust mites, fecal matter, and dead skin cells can settle in between the fibers. Otherwise, you’ll have eczema, contact dermatitis, and respiratory allergies to worry about later on.
- Laundry Detergent Pods
Detergent pods should end up in the washing machine during laundry day, not in children’s mouths. As these pods are colorful and could be mistaken for candy, children have been reported to pop them into their mouths and end up in the emergency room. The Center For Disease Control has received reports in 2012 where children experienced ‘vomiting, mental status changes, and respiratory distress’ after ingesting detergent pods.
The solution to this is easy: don’t leave them where children or pets can reach out for them quickly. Purchase bottled detergents instead so they’re not as tempting for children.
- Toothpaste
Along with the toothbrush, toothpaste is supposed to be a primary tool for cleaning your teeth. But some toothpaste brands are just downright hazardous to your teeth’ health, which is why you must understand the ingredients used.
For instance, sodium fluoride may affect the kidneys, cause eye irritation, and, worse, affect the fetus’s development. It was also linked to cancer. Silica and artificial sweeteners may also affect your health in the long run. Toothpaste with triclosan also pose a danger as animal studies by the Science Translational Medicine linked this chemical to colon inflammation, which leads to colon cancer.
Before buying toothpaste, start reading the ingredients list and avoid brands with the mentioned substances. Also, you can look for organic and natural alternatives to clean your teeth.
Conclusion
These household items are supposed to be safe for our daily use. But we can still do better and learn to ask questions if these items can pose a danger to our health. As a rule of thumb, keeping your surroundings clean and hygienic is a must. If there are disposable items, learn to dispose of them properly. Make a change and use natural and eco-friendly alternatives that are safe for both the body and the environment.
