During June, the National Safety Council (NSC) is reminding us of safety in all parts of our lives.
More than 75 percent of all unintentional injuries occur in our homes and communities. Make your “home sweet home”, your “home safe home.
One of the areas of concern is indoor air quality. We have become a more indoor society, spending almost 90% of our time indoors. Though energy conservation efforts, our homes now keep cool air or hot air from escaping because we have installed energy efficient windows, added insulation, caulking and weather stripping and even wrapped our homes during construction.
Therefore, the most susceptible people to indoor air pollution are children, seniors and those with chronic illnesses. Remember children breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults do and our indoor air pollution levels can be two to five times higher inside than outside.
In addition to looking for fall risk hazards, an Age Safe advisor member will consider the following issues in a home assessment.
-Check for ventilation-windows easy to open and close
-Check furnace filters for routine maintenance
-Check HVAC ducts for dust build-up
-Ensure carbon monoxide detector is working
-Check for visible evidence of water leaks or mold
Remember, homeowners, family members and guests can feel the effects of poor indoor air quality-including dizziness, headaches, fatigue, allergic reactions. Contact an Age Safe advisor member to identify these issues and give you practical, easy to implement solutions!