HealthyLife Articles

Category: Home Safety

Reduce Indoor Air Pollution For A Healthier Home

Home Safety

* Do not smoke. Do not allow smoking in your house.

* Open windows as much as you can to let fresh outdoor air in.

* Live clean and green. Use baking soda, vinegar, plain soap, etc. and/or 100 percent biodegradable products that do not have chlorine, phosphates, and dyes. Paint with zero-or low volatile organic (VOC) compound paints. Use products with the EPA’s “Design for the Environment (DfE)” on the label. Find out more fromepa.gov/dfe.

* Have green houseplants, such as Boston ferns and spider plants. These absorb indoor air pollutants.

* Choose energy-efficient products, such as ones with an ENERGY STAR. Find out about these fromenergystar.gov.

* To help eliminate gases, odors, chemicals and particles, put an air filter or electronic air cleaner on your furnace. Or use a portable air purifier and/or a vacuum that has a HEPA filter.

* To limit mold growth, keep your house clean, dry, and well ventilated.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Handle Food With Care

Home Safety

Healthy eating starts with preparation.

Your body will know if you’ve eaten harmful bacteria, because it can make you mildly to very sick. Bacteria spread easily onto hands, cutting boards, utensils, and countertops – all things that come into contact with food. To avoid problems, cook foods to proper temperatures and follow some simple steps.

Clean: Wash your hands and surfaces often.

* Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food or touching other surfaces.

* Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and countertops with hot soapy water after preparing each food item.

* Rinse fruits and vegetables with running tap water.

Separate: Don’t cross-contaminate.

* Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs separate from other foods.

* Use one cutting board for fruits and vegetables and another for meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs.

* Never place cooked food on a plate that held raw food.

Chill: Refrigerate perishable foods.

* Refrigerate or freeze meat, poultry, eggs, and other perishables as soon as you get home from shopping for foods.

* Don’t let raw meat, poultry, eggs, cooked food, or cut fruits or vegetables sit at room temperature more than two hours.

* Defrost foods in the refrigerator or cold water. Use the microwave on the defrost setting if you are cooking the food right away.

Cook foods to proper temperatures.

Eggs: 160ºF (Scrambled eggs should not be runny; whites and yolks should be firm.)

Casseroles and leftovers: 165ºF

Ground meat and meat mixtures: 160ºF

Fresh or ground poultry: 165ºF

Fresh beef, pork, veal, and lamb: 145ºF (with a 3-minute rest time)

Fish: 145ºF

Action Step

During your next trip to the grocery store, start with foods that don’t spoil − items in boxes and bags. Then choose meats, poultry, eggs, milk, and frozen foods last to keep them from being at unsafe temperatures for too long.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Safety Matters For You & The Environment

Home Safety

* Follow safety advisories for foods that are contaminated with harmful substances, such as methylmercury in fish and harmful bacteria in produce, etc. You can find out about these fromepa.gov.

* Use seatbelts and safety-approved car seats when riding in vehicles.

* Keep poisons and other harmful items locked and out of reach of children.

* Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home and garage.

* Don’t run cars and lawn mowers in the garage. Don’t use gas ranges for heat.

* See that Halloween costumes do not obstruct vision. Use non-toxic makeup instead of masks. Do not leave lighted candles exposed. In the dark, wear light-colored clothing or reflective tape on clothing to be visible.

* Get more safety tips from the National Safety Council atnsc.org.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Home Safe Home

Home Safety

Protect your family from accidents, injuries, and intruders.

You should feel safe, protected, and comfortable in your home, even when things go wrong. Make sure you’re doing everything possible to protect yourself and your family. Lock the doors, even when you are home. Install and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Plan an escape route in case of a disaster.

Safety Tips:

* Use a peephole at the front door.

* If you live alone, arrange for daily contact with a neighbor or relative.

* Post emergency numbers and teach children how to call 9-1-1.

* Stock first-aid supplies.

* Keep chemicals out of your children’s reach.

* Lock guns in one place and bullets in another.

* Keep a fire extinguisher handy.

* Use grab bars and safety mats or nonskid tape in your tub and shower.

* Keep stair areas well-lit. Keep all walkways clear of clutter.

* Make sure there is a clear path for walking from room to room.

* Never leave young children alone in the bathtub or on a bed or table.

Ways to get through a disaster faster:

Write down a plan. Rehearse it and hope you never need it!

* Create separate plans for different disasters, such as a house fire, flood, tornado, etc. Practice drills for each plan with the family.

* Take a first-aid course.

* Choose a check-in person who is unlikely to be involved in the same event.

* Plan two places to meet. Choose one at or near your home. Choose another one at a location farther away, in case you can’t get home.

* If you have kids in school, find out about the school’s crisis plan. Make sure the school has current phone numbers for you and other caregivers. Sign forms that allow the release of your kids to family members or friends.

* If you have pets, plan for their safety.

Action Step

Set up plans to be ready for weather disasters. Contact your cell phone carrier to see if you can get free Wireless Emergency Alerts.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Avoiding Stranger Danger Isn’t Just For Kids

Home Safety

Always be on alert and aware of your surroundings.

You don’t have to be paranoid that people are out to get you, but you should be cautious to avoid being robbed, carjacked, raped, and even killed for nothing more than a pair of shoes. Protect yourself and those you love.

At home:

* When you move into a new home or apartment, change all locks right away.

* Use deadbolt locks on doors. Secure windows so they can’t be opened more than five inches from the outside.

* Keep shades or curtains drawn after dark and turn on outside lights.

* Install motion sensor lights that turn on when someone passes by.

* Don’t open your door to anyone you don’t know.

* Don’t list your first name in the phone book. Keep your name off your mailbox.

On the go:

* Carry a cell phone with you. Make sure it’s charged.

* Walk tall on the streets and stay alert. Avoid walking alone at night, dark alleys, and people who look suspicious.

* Carry a whistle or stickpin.

* Make sure your car has plenty of gas.

* If your car breaks down, call for help. Stay inside with the doors locked and the windows up. Turn on your flashers and wait for police or other help to arrive.

* If someone approaches your car, crack your window and ask him or her to call for help. Don’t let the person into your car.

* Don’t hitchhike or pick up hitchhikers.

* If you are going on a date with someone you just met, meet him or her in a public place.

Action Step

Use common sense. Don’t jog, bike, or hike alone in secluded areas day or night. Instead, join a club or ask a friend who shares the same interests to join you.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026