’Tis the season for pollen and pesticides, not to mention pet dander and disease-carrying creepy-crawlies. The editors at ThisOldHouse.com checked in with health and environment experts across the country for easy, inexpensive tips to help keep your home healthy.
Here are 10 tips to keep in mind:
Add mats on both sides of the door. Up to 80 percent of the dirt that gets tracked inside—along with countless allergens, bacteria and lawn chemicals—can be caught before it makes itself at home with...Anyone who has had their basement flood can understand what a hassle it can be to resolve the issue. Whether it’s a completely flooded basement, or water seeping through your walls, fixing these problems is a time consuming and expensive process. Although there’s no way to guarantee that your basement will never flood, there are some proactive steps you can take to prevent things from getting out of hand.
Properly maintain your gutters
Although the work to keep your drainage system in tact may...During the fall and winter months, many homeowners light their fireplaces to help keep their homes warm and cozy. Plus, as countless movies have taught us, fireplaces can provide optimal ambiance for a romantic night in with a significant other.
However, unless precautions are taken, improper use of fireplaces could lead to house fires or carbon monoxide poisoning. To help you enjoy a fireplace safely, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers the following tips:
1. Be sure the firepla...Conflicts are an inevitable part of life. We have all encountered situations in which someone said or did something that offended us, hurt our feelings, or made us feel misunderstood or unappreciated. Learning how to handle difficult situations at a young age can help children cope with conflicts later in life.
Encourage Your Kids to Talk and ListenChildren have the right to feel and express their emotions, but they need to do so in healthy ways. Help your kids learn to express their feelings t...
Power outages occur for various reasons, including utility blackouts, downed power lines and severe weather. During an outage, using a portable generator can help you meet your basic power needs, such as providing some lighting or keeping your fridge running and food from spoiling. However, improper use of a generator can pose safety risks, including fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you plan to rely on a generator the next time your lights go out, follow these safety tips from the National...
It’s easy to get excited about the idea of working out but soon find yourself feeling discouraged and overwhelmed. Having the right mindset and realistic expectations can help you succeed at a new exercise program.
Why Do You Want to Work out?The reason why you exercise will determine whether you’ll stick with it. Internal motivation is more likely to lead to long-term success than motivation based on external factors. If you want to get in shape to look good at the beach or at your friend’s we...
Do you live in an apartment or condominium? If so, do you know what to do in case there’s a fire when you’re home? To help you stay safe, the U.S. Fire Administration offers the following quick tips:
Building Fire Safety
Fire prevention tools in and around your apartment are essential for fire safety.