Nowadays we are very conscious about health and safety issues in the workplace. We understand the need to keep fire exits clear and have firefighting equipment on hand. We know that wet, slippery floors can be hazardous and we signpost these when cleaning is underway. Very few of us however think about health hazards in the home. We keep substances such as bleach locked away from children and use a fireguard when tending a real fire, for example, but there are many other things that can have a serious and negative impact on the health of you and your family. Here is a quick guide to some of the essentials.
Bricks and mortar
Reports indicate that aroundsix million British properties are likely to be subject to dangers caused by lead paint, damp and mould, water intrusion or deficiencies in plumbing and electrical infrastructure. It goes without saying that living in a damp building is hazardous for your health, potentially causing asthma, respiratory infections or allergies. If your home has a damp problem, get it fixed. If you live in rented accommodation that is damp, let the landlord know the problems this could cause. Be aware of any building deficiencies that might result in a health hazard.
Cluttered living spaces
Inside your home it is important to be mindful of the possible dangers if you have squeezedtoo much furniture into the spaces available or overloaded your electrical sockets. Trips and falls are more likely in cluttered areas, and because we all have so many devices to charge up these days it is easy to forget that overloading the system is a potential fire hazard. Make sure there is plenty of floor space between items of furniture, and that floors are not overly slippery. Ensure rugs are securely fastened and will not suddenly shift, which could easily cause you to overbalance. Pay attention to those trailing cables if you find your electrical sockets are overloaded. Consider a wireless charger or hub and say goodbye to endless crossed wires.
Pets
While cats and dogs make delightful companions, they canalso be home to fleas and ticks.It is true that fleas will mostly stick to your pets; however they have also been known to transfer to humans, especially if a pet moves on from the household or dies. It is not only nasty, itchy fleabites you have to worry about though; they can also transmit the infectious disease bartonellosis, otherwise known as cat scratch fever. If you do keep pets, make sure your animals have regular doses of flea treatments to avoid any possible complications.
Children
Ask any primary school teacher and you will soon learn that children under five years old are known to be at the most risk of picking up infections, and then passing these on to parents, siblings and teachers. Obviously, putting kids into quarantine until they are five is not an option, but you can be vigilant and encourage good hygiene practices from an early age.
