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