6 Suggestions from Red Bank, NJ Realtors on Affordable Ways to Make Your Home Safer and Healthier
Simple tips from Realtors in Red Bank, NJ that can improve your health and the planet as well
Most people do not realize just how unhealthy their homes are, and how much at risk their families are for becoming sick. The presence of toxins in the home from chemicals such as lead and pesticides are the leading causes of illnesses such as brain and central nervous system damage, behavior problems, asthma, cancer, and more. But Red Bank, NJ Realtors say making a home greener and healthier does not have to be an expensive or overwhelming project. With some small alterations in their daily habits, homeowners can be on their way to a better lifestyle and an overall healthy home.
Read below to find out easy ways on how to rid your home of everyday toxins and other potential household risks:
Address the dust issue
House dust aggravates allergies, and contains hazardous chemicals such as lead, pesticides, and other chemicals. According to Realtors in Red Bank, NJ the best way to combat this is to replace carpeting in your home with another flooring option such as wood or tile. If this is not in the budget, then you want to make sure you are vacuuming thoroughly at least twice a week with a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter to catch more dust and dirt.
Throw out products containing pesticides
Pesticides kill roaches, mice, ants, and lawn pests. But overexposure and chronic small exposures may put children at risk of a range of health problems, including asthma, learning disabilities, and problems with brain development along with being expensive to buy. There are other ways to combat bug problems in your home such as making sure all food residues are cleaned up, keeping food packages and containers tightly closed, and sealing any cracks that are a point of entry into your home.
Use canned goods and plastic bottles sparingly
Bisphenol A, a chemical found in polycarbonate plastics used in bottled water and baby bottles, is considered unsafe by some. This chemical is also used in epoxy resins that line metal products like canned foods. The FDA and the American Chemistry Council say bisphenol A is safe for use. However, another government report, the National Toxicology Report, found concern about effects on the brain, prostate gland, and behavior in fetuses, infants, and children. And one study found that adults with high levels of BPA in their urine were more likely to have a history of heart disease or diabetes, compared to people with low levels of BPA. In order to limit your exposure to this chemical, Realtors in Red Bank, NJ recommend to look for safer alternatives such as tempered glass bottles or plastic bottles made of cloudy plastics, do not microwave plastic food containers or cling wraps, and use glass containers to store leftover foods.
Purchase “green” cleansers
The typical cleaning supplies found under the sink of your home are saturated with poisonous chemicals potentially harmful or fatal for both humans and animals. Also, when washed down the drain, they pollute lakes and rivers. New “green” cleaners work just as well without the dangerous ingredients of other cleaning supplies such as ammonia and chlorine, and are highly recommended by Red Bank, NJ Realtors.
Test your home
Both lead paint and radon are serious hazards that cannot be overlooked according to Realtors in Red Bank, NJ. Lead poisoning is known to cause brain damage in a developing fetus and in young children if not treated. The main source of lead is old paint and dust that forms when paint chips and erodes. You can contact your local health department for more information as well as how to test your home for the presence of lead in the home. Check with your local health department or a professional regarding lead paint testing. Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas that is odorless and colorless. Radon gas is formed from the natural breakdown of the soil and rock underneath your NJ MLS home, and any home can have a radon gas problem. Breathing air containing radon gas can cause lung cancer.
Choose organic foods
When you eat organically, you are ingesting fewer pesticides commonly used in the growing of certain foods. Also, you are helping to protect the environment, and consuming a more nutritious, better-tasting version of what you normally may have bought in the grocery store.
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