The pandemic forced us to shelter in place for the better part of a year. Even as we begin to open up again and grow accustomed to the new normal, we’re still spending more time at home than we used to. If you and your family were living a fast-paced lifestyle before the pandemic, then you probably haven’t looked into possible health concerns associated with your home in quite some time.
As we avoid non-essential trips outside and maintain social distancing protocols, we should also look at where we’re now spending most of our time. Now’s the perfect time to start to get a closer look at the state of our homes and how it could affect our health.
It’s important to stay diligent in these uncertain times. Here are just some possible health hazards that may be present in your home to look out for:
Asbestos
If you’ve spent your time at home doing minor remodels, then you may be in danger of Asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a fire-retardant material. Usually found in ceiling boards, wall insulation, and roofing shingles. Over time the material gets damaged, torn out to erodes into a powder-like substance. This powder makes it easier to get exposed and possibly inhale the substance. Prolonged exposure can cause lung sickness.
Dangerous Gases
There are various dangerous gases to which you can be present in your home. Carbon monoxide is a hazardous gas that can be fatal when inhaled. This can leak from faulty fuel-burning appliances like your furnace, water heaters, and room heaters. Make sure to have your home’s carbon monoxide detectors regularly checked to see if they’re functioning properly.
Radon is a lesser-known dangerous gas that can seep out from stones and soil found in your backyard. Radon can be present in the ground soil under our houses. It can seep into your basements and accumulate enough to spread to the rest of the home. Engaging professional Radon inspectors can help ease your mind.
Mold
Children are especially susceptible to have allergic reactions or asthma attacks when exposed to mold. As schools currently have health protocols in place and our children are still doing a significant amount of schooling from home, we need to be vigilant about detection.
Mold thrives in damp and humid conditions. It usually develops in our kitchens and bathrooms. Mold can also be present in carpets, ceiling walls, and even stored clothes. So if you decided to go through old clothes while we were stuck inside, you might want to have professionals do proper inspections or wear the appropriate safety gear.
Pests
During the pandemic of all our activities became condensed into one space. We were in our chairs, couches, and beds more. We weren’t cleaning up as much as we used to while the mess and clutter were increasing. Eating habits in the home also changed. Meals were taken in multiple rooms inside the house and sometimes without proper cleaning.
Bed bug infestations, cockroaches, and mice also became extremely widespread in homes during the pandemic. Professional exterminators remain the most effective and safe way to deal with any pest infestations our homes may have developed during the pandemic.
This hasn’t just been limited to our habits, though. It’s also affected our pets. If your household has dogs, then chances are they haven’t been able to visit their groomers regularly recently. Flees can jump from our pets to our furniture, carpets, and clothes. Make sure you’re also taking care of your pet’s grooming and ensuring they don’t have flees, especially if they’re house dogs.
Electrical systems
Increased activities in our homes may also affect the integrity of any exposed wiring we have. Inspecting our light fixtures, lamps, switches, and outlets of any issues can help prevent serious injuries, especially as children stay home from school and spend time unsupervised indoors as we work from home.
Outdoor electrical fixtures are also prone to damage over time and exposure to the elements. Not only are compromised electrical fixtures dangerous due to possible electrocution, but they also pose fire hazards. Smoke detectors in the home should also be regularly inspected for early fire warnings.
While we continue to stay in our homes more as a safety precaution during the pandemic, let’s not forget to remember the possible health hazards found in our homes. Medical services are not as readily available while hospitals remain overwhelmed by the pandemic. In cases like these, prevention and early detection are vital. Ensure your family’s health and safety by regularly checking for possible issues in the home.
