HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Home Safety

Fight Back Against Radon

WELL-BEING

Radon can get into your home and cause serious health problems. But you can take steps to remove this dangerous gas that you can’t see, taste or smell.

Radon is a natural radioactive gas. When uranium breaks down in the soil, it makes radon. Then, radon can seep into a home’s foundation, causing health problems for the people who live there.

Why is radon harmful?

When you breathe in radon, its natural radioactive particles can get trapped in your lungs. Radon is a leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. If you smoke and breathe radon, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

How do I know if I have radon?

The only way to know if a home has radon is through a radon test. You can buy radon tests at hardware stores or online. Your local health department may sell them.

Radon tests are easy to use. Usually, you let the test stay in your basement or the lowest point in your house for a few days. When the test is complete, you mail it in. The testing company sends you the results.

If your test results say your radon level is 4pCi/L or higher, take a second test to be sure. If the average between the two tests is 4pCi/L or higher, you need to fix the problem. You can do this with radon removal, also called radon mitigation.

How do I get rid of radon?

Removing radon from a home requires special skills and tools. Choose a qualified radon mitigation contractor to fix your home.

Ask your state radon office for names. Many states require radon professionals to be licensed, certified or registered for your added safety.

New homes aren’t safe

No matter how old or new your home, radon can get in. It seeps in through foundation seams, joints and cracks. It can also get in through a sump pump or drain located in the basement.

If you’re buying a home, make sure the home has been tested for radon or that it has a radon mitigation system in place.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Plan For Summer Safety

Home Safety

* Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.

* Wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.

* Learn to swim and teach your children how to swim.

* Check the depth of the water before diving into a pool. Don’t dive into water that is less than 9 feet deep. Never dive into an above-ground pool.

Dos

* Watch a professional fireworks display in person or on TV.

* Wear and have children wear a personal flotation device when you are on a boat, water ski, etc.

Don’ts

* Don’t play with fireworks or let your children play with fireworks.

* NEVER leave a child alone near a pool or water, not even for a few seconds.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Get Ready To Garden

WELL-BEING

Spring marks the beginning of the growing season in many parts of the country. To ensure a successful garden, now is the time to prepare for the season ahead.

The garden tasks you need to do in early spring will vary depending on your growing zone. Colder climates will just be getting started, while warmer parts of the country may already be enjoying garden bounty.

For those of us just thawing out, here are the spring gardening tasks that will set you up for success:

* Weed and mulch. Early spring is a key time to get ahead of the weeds and put down a thick layer of protective mulch.

* Plant bare-root trees, shrubs, and roses. These should go in before temperatures get too warm.

* Fertilize spring bulbs.

* Trim back grasses and perennials to make way for new growth.

* Prepare vegetable beds for early spring seeds. Apply a layer of compost and turn the soil over.

* Plant cold-weather vegetable seeds such as lettuce, radish, and kale.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Poison Control

Home Safety

The National Poison Control Center is staffed 24 hours a day. Memorize the National Poison Control Number: 800.222.1222. Buy household products, vitamins, and medicines in child-resistant packaging. Keep items in original containers. Follow label warnings.

Carbon monoxide (CO) has no odor or color. Symptoms of CO poisoning are like those of the flu, so you may not suspect CO poisoning. Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home and garage.

Inhalants are gases or vapors from glues, paints, cooking sprays, and over 1,000 other common products that are used to get high.

Every hour, five children are rushed to an emergency room due to a suspected medicine poisoning.

A child can grab and swallow something that could be poisonous in the short time it takes to answer a doorbell or a phone call.

Teach your children not to touch anything with a skull and crossbones on the label.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
How Your Surroundings Affect Your Health

WELL-BEING

Most people spend a lot of time in their home or their workplace. And the things around you can affect how you feel. Your surroundings can affect your:

* Breathing

* Heart rate

* Blood pressure

* Stress levels

* Brain chemicals

You may not notice these changes. They often happen without you realizing it. But these changes can affect your health.

Are your surroundings healthy?

To find out whether your surroundings are good for you, trust your feelings. If you’re not sure, ask yourself:

* Does this room make me feel relaxed or tense?

* Do I feel happy or sad when I walk in?

* When I look at an item, how does it make me feel?

* Do certain sounds or smells make me cringe or feel on edge? Or do sounds and smells make me feel relaxed or peaceful?

Some people find that just thinking about certain places make them feel stressed. For instance, you may feel anxious about going to the hospital or the doctor’s office.

Why your surroundings matter

If you have past experiences with a place or thing, this will shape how you feel about them now. For instance, with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), surroundings can trigger bad memories.

PTSD can be triggered by sights, sounds, smells or places. If this happens to you, talk to your doctor. You can get help working through these emotions and any bad memories that harm your mental well-being.

Make your surroundings good for you

Find ways to change your surroundings so they remind you of good things. Try these tips:

* Get plenty of daylight during the day.

* Add artwork, items or photos that make you feel happy. Nature paintings and photos are helpful for many people.

* Add a flower or plant to your space to help you think about nature.

* Listen to nature sounds on your phone or a CD.

Get help from your doctor

A mental health provider can help you break connections that are causing bad memories or negative feelings. Work with your doctor to find resources that can help you balance your health and happiness.

Source: Veterans Health Administration

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Prevent Choking & Suffocation

Home Safety

Do This, Not That

Choking and suffocation can occur at any age, but is more common in babies and toddlers. Choking is the 4th leading cause of unintentional death in children under the age of 5. At least 1 child dies from choking on food every 5 days in the U.S. Common foods and other items children choke on include:

* Bubble gum and other types of gum

* Peanuts, other nuts, and popcorn

* Peanut butter (especially from a spoon or with soft white bread)

* Whole grapes and foods with pits, such as cherries

* Hot dogs (whole or cut into round pieces)

* Hard candy and cough drops

* Balloons, button-type batteries, small toy parts, marbles, coins, and safety pins.

In adults, choking usually occurs when food is not chewed properly. The risk increases with talking or laughing while eating, drinking alcohol, taking drugs, or having a condition that impairs chewing or swallowing. In young adults, choking can result from playing the “choking game.” With this, the person uses a rope or belt to cut off blood and oxygen to the brain for a brief “high.”

Learn first aid for choking for babies, children, and adults from your local Red Cross. Find a class in your area atwww.redcross.orgor call 800.733.2767 (800.RED.CROSS).

Adults

Children

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Poison Prevention Starts At Home

WELL-BEING

Did you know more than 90 percent of all poisonings happen at home? While children are affected the most, people of all ages can be harmed by poisoning. Here’s what to know to make your home safe.

Caring for cleaners

Do not mix household cleaners or other products. The chemicals in these products can create a toxic gas when mixed. Never mix bleach with ammonia products or other cleaners. Use only one product at a time.

Keep cleaners, chemicals, medicines, and anything that could be poisonous locked up and put away.

Mindful of medicines

Never share prescription medicines with anyone. The other person may not be able to safely take your medicine. Or, they could be taking another medicine that isn’t safe when mixed with yours. Make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows about all medicines you are taking.

Keep all medicines clearly labeled with the type of medicine and dosage. If you don’t understand your medicine or how much to take, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Don’t try to take medicines in the dark, because you could accidentally take the wrong one. Keep all medicines, even over-the-counter ones, put away and out of reach of children.

Battery safety

Treat batteries like poison. Keep them away from children.

The small, round “button” batteries are especially dangerous because they are easy for children to swallow. A swallowed battery can cause permanent damage to the throat and even death within just a couple of hours.

Beware of e-cigarettes

E-Cigarettes are shaped like cigarettes but they contain a small heater and battery. The “juice” used inside these devices contains high levels of nicotine. Even a tiny amount of the juice from e-cigarettes can cause poisoning in a child. It can cause seizures and even death.

Keep e-cigarettes away from children at all times. If you throw used e-cigarette juice in the trash, wrap it up and take it outside or someplace where a child cannot get to it.

Know the number

If you think you or someone else has been exposed to poison, call (800) 222-1222. This connects you to your local poison center. The call is free and confidential. They can tell you what to do next. Do not try to treat poisoning yourself with home remedies.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Prevent Drowning

Home Safety

Do This, Not That

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

* Drowning ranks 5th among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States.

* About 10 people die from unintentional drowning every day. Of these, 2 are children aged 14 or younger.

* An additional 347 people die each year from drowning in boating-related incidents.

* Drownings are the leading cause of death for young children ages 1 to 4. Most of these drownings occur in home swimming pools.

* Among adolescents and adults, alcohol use is involved in up to 70% of deaths associated with water recreation, almost a quarter of Emergency Department visits for drowning, and about 1 in 5 reported boating deaths. Alcohol influences balance, coordination, and judgment. Its effects are heightened by sun exposure and heat.

General Guidelines

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Audit Your Home For Safety

Home Safety

Most accidents happen at home. If you think your house is “home, safe home,” take a look around. At first glance it may look orderly, but certain common trouble spots can lead to cuts, falls, burns, or other injuries. The following room-by-room checklist can alert you to accidents waiting to happen.

Kitchen

* Cleaners and dangerous chemicals should be stored out of children’s reach.

* Scissors, knives, ice picks, and other sharp tools should be stored separately from other utensils out of the reach of children.

* Towels, curtains, and other flammable materials should hang a safe distance from heat sources like the stove.

* Kitchen fans and stove ventilation exhausts should be clean and in good working order.

* Electrical cords should run a safe distance from the sink or range.

* Electrical outlets should not be overloaded.

* A sturdy step stool should be available to help reach high cabinets.

* Vinyl floors should be cleaned with nonskid wax.

* A nonskid floor mat should be in place in front of the sink.

* The kitchen should be well-lit.

Bedroom

* Electrical cords should be tucked away from foot traffic and in good working order.

* Electrical outlets should not be overloaded.

* Electric blankets should not be covered by bedspreads or other blankets when in use.

* Carpeting should be secured to the floor.

* A night-light should be situated between the bed and the bathroom or hallway.

* The bedroom telephone should be easy to reach, even from the floor, if necessary.

* Ashtrays, irons, electric hair curlers, and other potential fire hazards should be located away from bedding, curtains, or other flammable material.

* Smoke detectors should be located near entrances to rooms.

Bathroom

* Floor mats should have nonskid backing.

* Rubber mats or adhesive-backed strips should be in place in the bathtub or shower stall.

* A support bar should be securely installed in the bathtub or shower stall.

* Hair dryers, electric shavers, or other electric appliances should be kept away from water and unplugged when not in use.

* A light switch should be located near the bathroom entrance or entrances.

Halls and Stairs

* Halls and stairs should be well-lit, with a light switch at each end of a stairway.

* If a staircase is dimly lit, the top and bottom steps should be marked with reflective tape.

* Sturdy hand rails should be securely installed on both sides of each stairway.

* Floor covering on stairs and in halls should be skid-proof or carpeted and not creased or frayed.

* Stairways should be clear of shoes, books, toys, tools, or other clutter.

* When young children are in the house, gates should block access to stairways.

Basement and Garage

* To avoid confusion and misuse, all chemicals and cleaners should be kept in their original containers.

* Hazardous chemicals should be kept under lock and key or out of reach of children.

* Sharp or otherwise potentially hazardous tools should be in good working order.

* Gasoline and other flammable materials should be stored in airtight containers and away from heat sources (outside the home, if possible).

* To prevent suffocation, dispose of all plastic bags, or keep them out of reach of children.

* Don’t leave objects small enough to be swallowed within reach of children.

* Buy a radon test kit from your state department of health or department of environmental protection, or contact the National Radon Hotline at 1.800.767.7236 for information on radon testing. (Radon is an invisible gas that causes health problems if it builds up in homes and can’t escape.) If your home has high radon levels, hire a reliable radon expert to help you reduce levels of this gas in your home.

Elsewhere around the House

* Outdoor porches and walkways should be kept clear of ice in winter weather.

* Window screens should be securely fastened, especially if small children are around.

* Take steps to remedy unsafe situations as soon as possible.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Prevent Falls

Home Safety

Do This, Not That

* Falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries for children ages 0 to 19. Every day, about 8,000 children are treated in U.S. emergency rooms for fall-related injuries.

* Almost 86,000 fall injuries each year are linked with dogs and cats. This includes falling or tripping over the animal or its toys and/or being pulled down or pushed by a dog.

* One out of 3 people age 65 and older takes a bad fall every year. And in this age group, falls are the leading cause of death by injury.

Older Adults

People with Special Needs

General Guidelines

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026