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Take
some simple steps to protect your family.
Each time you visit this page, you'll find a
new set of tips.
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Make your home a tobacco-free zone.
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| There are more than 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke. Medical research shows that second-hand smoke increases a child's risk of developing ear and respiratory infections, asthma, cancer and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. |
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Eradicate cockroaches and keep clutter to a minimum.
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| Piles of dirty clothes make a growth environment for mildews and mites; piles of paper attract cockroaches. Remember, you can eliminate household pests without using toxic pesticides. |
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Clean up your water.
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| Call your water company for test results on your public water supply, which is called a Consumer Confidence Report. You may want to have your tap water tested for lead, which can leach from pipes and solder in water mains (see #2, above). There are other possible contaminants to test for, as well. In most cases, water filtration will clean up any problems. |
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Try air cleaning and purifying machines.
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| Consumer Reports says a good
air cleaner can help those allergic to dust and mold spores, citing the fan/filter models as most effective in removing airborne dust. The machine will help most in the asthmatic’s bedroom; but keep it at least six feet from the bed (it creates draft), and don’t place on carpet (it can kick up dust). But, "They can only help if you’ve gotten rid of the risk factors first, like dust mites, mold and danders," Harvard School of Public Health associate professor Dr. Harriet Burge warns. Warning: many asthmatics experience irritation from the ozone type of air purifier. |
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Baking soda has many cleaning and deodorizing uses.
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Slightly abrasive and alkaline, this soda ash (a mineral) byproduct neutralizes odors and makes a good sink, tub, oven and countertop scourer.
Deodorize: Place an open box of baking soda in the fridge. Sprinkle it on carpets before vacuuming. Line kitty’s litter box with about 1 cup before adding litter.
To de-grease and sweeten sink and tub drains, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down drain followed by 1 cup vinegar; let bubble for 15 minutes; rinse with hot water.
For a "soft scrub," mix together baking soda and liquid soap. Make only as much as you need, as it dries up quickly. |
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Air new linens outside on a warm day.
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| This will allow some fabric treatments to dissipate. Some, but not all, fabric treatments may come off after several washings. |
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Pickle weeds with vinegar.
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| Pour household vinegar into a spray bottle and evenly coat weeds with it. U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists recently confirmed this in tests. Vinegar is really five percent acetic acid in water, and it burns the plant, especially on sunny days. For extra strength weed killer, look for pickling vinegar, which is nine percent acetic acid. Don't get the vinegar on your garden plants, as it can kill them too. |
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Freshen rooms with cut flowers and potted plants.
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| Rather than relying on chemical-laden air fresheners, try floral scents from the source: fresh flowers! As for potted plants, Dr. Bill Wolverton conducted studies for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration showing that some houseplants can clear carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from indoor air. For example, of the fifty indoor plants tested, the Boston fern was the most effective at removing formaldehyde and the peace lily worked best on acetone. Three types of palms — areca, lady and bamboo — received the highest overall ratings, which included ease of growth and maintenance, resistance to insects and amount of moisture released by the plant, along with ability to remove chemical vapors. |
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