Wait, Is My Home Making Me Sick?

We all associate our home with the desire to create a safe place for our family. It’s a cosy little nest where we can be together and enjoy day-to-day life. There is no place like home. The pandemic crisis has encouraged homeowners to think of their homes as the healthiest place. Except that it isn’t entirely true. Did you know that your home could also make you sick? 

Here’s a brief overview of some of the most commonly ignored risks inside the household. Indeed, your home could hide unspeakable dangers that can affect both your physical and mental health. However, the good news is that you can also create a safe environment once you become aware of these. 

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Hazardous building materials

Ultimately, if not handled properly, most building materials will pose a risk to your health. However, in old properties, hazardous materials are a real issue. You’d be surprised to know that most old homes contained asbestos. The UK only banned asbestos in 1999, while other countries had already made the move in the 1980s. There’s something important to know about hazardous products, though. You can ask for a property audit, such as asbestos testing to check for their presence. Your auditor may not recommend immediate removal of the material is self-contained and doesn’t pose a health risk. If removal is advised, you might need to evacuate the property during the process. 

I’m allergic to my home

If you find yourself sneezing or struggling with a runny nose without figuring out any trigger, your home could be the underlying cause. Indeed, this could be a sign of allergy such as hay fever. Carpeted homes, for instance, are more likely to affect your health as dust can remain trapped inside the carpet fibres. When this happens, it can accumulate and encourage the presence of dust mites. Did you know that most people who think they are allergic to dust are, in fact, allergic to dust mites? Thankfully, using carpet wash services is often all it takes to solve the problem. 

Your indoor air quality is bad

You may not see it, but your indoor air is comparatively 5 times more polluted than the outdoor. VOCs and particulates can lead to health complaints if you don’t find a way of filtering them out. Poor indoor air quality can lead to sinus congestion, nausea, headache, and even skin irritation. If you work from home, you might find it difficult to focus or think clearly. Regular ventilation combined with air filter systems effectively tackles the issue. 

Lack of direct sunlight

The pandemic’s biggest concern was the lack of direct sunlight exposure for people who self-isolated at home. Sunlight is an essential source of vitamin D, which encourages calcium absorption and mood regulation. However, it also has a placebo effect. A home with plenty of natural light boosts your mood, even though UVB (responsible for vitamin D production) doesn’t cross through the window. On the other hand, a dark home where windows are obscured can drive depression risks. 

Hopefully, these little tricks can help you improve your household’s health. From encouraging direct sunlight to checking for dangerous materials, there’s a lot you can do to keep you and your family happy and healthy at home.