There are many simple ways to help make your home a healthier place for you and your family. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recommends these healthy home practices to get started.
- Keep it dry. Prevent rainwater from entering your home through leaks in roofing systems and poor drainage. Also, check your interior plumbing for any leaking.
- Keep it clean. Control the source of dust and contaminants, creating smooth and cleanable surfaces, reducing clutter, and using effective wet-cleaning methods.
- Keep it safe. Store poisons out of the reach of children and make sure they’re properly labeled. Secure loose rugs and keep children’s play areas free from hard or sharp surfaces. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and keep fire extinguishers on hand.
- Keep it well-ventilated. Ventilate bathrooms and kitchens and use whole-house ventilation to supply fresh air and reduce the concentration of contaminants in the home.
- Keep it contaminant-free. Levels of contaminants such as lead, radon, carbon monoxide, asbestos, secondhand smoke, and other chemicals are often much higher indoors. Test your home for these contaminants and take the appropriate action to remedy any problem areas.
- Keep it pest-free. All pests look for food, water, and shelter. Seal cracks and openings throughout the home, and store food in pest-resistant containers. If needed, methods to rid your home of pests that have already gotten in are available.
- Keep it temperature controlled. Homes that do not have balanced and consistent temperatures may place families at increased risk from exposure to extreme cold, heat, or humidity.
- Keep your home maintained. Inspect, clean, and repair your home routinely. Take care of minor repairs before they become bigger problems.
For more tips, resources, and a maintenance checklist for making your home healthier, visit HUD’s Healthy Homes for Healthy Families website.
Your EAP Can Help!
Did you know your EAP can help when you are faced with a home improvement or maintenance issue? Your Component Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides consultations, research, and guidance on a wide array of home improvement topics. EAP assistance is available for you and your eligible household members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, contact your Component EAP, or send an email to worklife@hq.dhs.gov.