June is National Healthy Homes Month!
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What is a Healthy Home? Well, some things that may come to mind are cleanliness, well organized, appliances and fixtures working properly, and a home free of toxic smells or odors, such as cigarette smoke. These are all good points. So, how can you tell if your home is healthy and why does it matter? A home can support the health of your family as much as a healthy lifestyle and diet. It’s important for people of all ages to know how to make their home safe and healthy for their own health concerns. It is always worth taking the time to make the place you call home a healthier and safer place to live. Here are some simple steps to get you started!
Keep it DRY
Damp homes provide an environment for dust mites, roaches and molds. All of these can cause or worsen asthma. In addition, moisture can damage the building materials in your home.
Good health starts at your home. Learn as much as you can about home health and safety, and get your family involved.
The Healthy Homes Initiative offers interactive workshops that focus on how to create and maintain healthy homes. Call the local Extension office at 662-773-3091 or visit http://extension.msstate.edu/hhi to request more information or a workshop in your area.
To request a Healthy Homes Initiative workshop for your community or organization go to: http://extension.msstate.edu/content/hhi-request-class
There is an app for that! Get the new Healthy Homes Basics
app today!
Disinfectant
2 tablespoons borax
¼ cup vinegar
2 cups hot water
Combine the borax and vinegar with the water in a spray bottle. Use like any commercial all-purpose cleaner.
All-Purpose Cleaner
2 tablespoons borax
¼ cup vinegar
2 cups hot water
Mix borax and vinegar with water in a spray bottle.
Ingredients
Baking soda:
Helps to clean and deodorize,
will act as a scouring agent, polisher, stain remover and fabric softener. Use to clean plastic, vinyl, carpet, silver, stainless steel and drains.
Borax:
Helps to clean and deodorize. Use on wallpaper, painted walls and floors. Use it with your detergent to remove stains and boost cleaning power.
Vinegar:
Helps remove stains, wax build-up and mildew. Use to clean windows, fireplaces, grout, paintbrushes, glass and coffee pots. May damage acid sensitive surfaces, so test on a small area first.
Keep it CONTAMINANT
FREE
Levels of contaminants such as lead, radon, carbon monoxide, asbestos, secondhand smoke, and other chemicals are often much higher indoors.
Keep it PEST FREE
Exposure to pests such as roaches and rodents can trigger an asthma attack.
Keep it SAFE
Injuries such as falls, burns, and poisonings occur most often in the home, especially with children and seniors.
Keep it CLEAN
Clean homes reduce pest infestation and exposures to contaminants.
Keep it WELL MAINTAINED
Poorly maintained homes are at risk for moisture, pest problems, and injury hazards. Deteriorated lead-based paint is the primary cause of children being harmed by lead.
Keep it WELL VENTILATED
Having a good fresh air supply to your home is important to reduce exposure to indoor air pollutants and to increase respiratory health.
Keep it TEMPERATURE
CONTROLLED
Homes that do not have balanced and consistent temperatures may place your family at increased risk from exposure to extreme cold, heat, or humidity.The Healthy Homes Initiative offers interactive workshops that focus on how to create and maintain healthy homes. Call the local Extension office at 662-773-3091 or visit http://extension.msstate.edu/hhi to request more information or a workshop in your area.
To request a Healthy Homes Initiative workshop for your community or organization go to: http://extension.msstate.edu/content/hhi-request-class
- Download the app to learn more:
- https://itunes.apple.com or
- https://play.google.com/store
- ·Connect to resources you need
- ·Take quizzes to test your awareness
- ·Check each room in a house
Green Cleaning Recipes-Healthy
alternatives for day-to-day cleaning:
2 tablespoons borax
¼ cup vinegar
2 cups hot water
Combine the borax and vinegar with the water in a spray bottle. Use like any commercial all-purpose cleaner.
All-Purpose Cleaner
2 tablespoons borax
¼ cup vinegar
2 cups hot water
Mix borax and vinegar with water in a spray bottle.
Ingredients
Baking soda:
Helps to clean and deodorize,
will act as a scouring agent, polisher, stain remover and fabric softener. Use to clean plastic, vinyl, carpet, silver, stainless steel and drains.
Borax:
Helps to clean and deodorize. Use on wallpaper, painted walls and floors. Use it with your detergent to remove stains and boost cleaning power.
Vinegar:
Helps remove stains, wax build-up and mildew. Use to clean windows, fireplaces, grout, paintbrushes, glass and coffee pots. May damage acid sensitive surfaces, so test on a small area first.
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