Division of Disease Control and Health Protection

Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Information for Homeowners and Renters

8 Tips to Healthy Home

1. Keep it Clean
   Help control the sources of asthma and allergy triggers (or things that can cause asthma attacks and allergic reactions) such as dust mites and pet dander. Create smooth and cleanable surfaces, reduce clutter, and use effective wet-cleaning methods.

2. Keep it Dry
   Fix moisture problems right away to prevent mold growth. Repair leaking roofs, walls, doors, windows, pipes, or faucets. Quickly dry anything that has gotten wet.

3. Keep it Ventilated
   Ventilation is the removal or addition of air to a building. Ventilation can remove excessive humidity. It can also reduce or remove indoor pollutants such as carbon monoxide or radon in the home. Use available exhaust vent fans in bathrooms and kitchens when bathing, showering, or cooking. Vent your clothes dryer and fuel-burning appliances to the outdoors.

4. Keep it Pest-Free
   Use non-chemical methods as the first line of defense against pests. Get rid of the ways pests can enter the home, reduce food and water availability, and give them no place to hide. Seal cracks and openings throughout the home. If you must use chemicals, choose less toxic products such as sticky-traps and baits in closed containers first and less toxic pesticides such as boric acid powder.

5. Keep it Contaminant-Free
   Reduce lead hazards in pre-1978 homes by fixing chipped, cracked or peeling paint. Also, keep floors and window areas clean by wiping with a wet cloth. Test your home for radon. Fix your home if you have unacceptable levels of radon. If smokers are in the home, only allow smoking outdoors, do not smoke around children or pets, and help them quit. You can call the Florida QuitLine toll-free at 1-877-U-CAN-NOW (1-877-822-6669) for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

6. Keep it Safe
   Store hazardous products out of children's and pets' reach to prevent poisoning. Keep the Poison Control Center number (1-800-222-1222) near all of your phones. Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Replace carbon monoxide alarms every 5 years and smoke alarms every 10 years. Take precautions to prevent fires, burns, drowning, choking, suffocation, strangulation, falls, and other injuries. If you have a private drinking water well, get your water tested. Contact your local county health department for information about water testing services.

7. Keep it Maintained
   Inspect, clean, and repair your home routinely. Take care of minor repairs and problems before they become large repairs and problems. Some maintenance and repair activities require the use of trained and qualified professionals.

8. Keep it Ready
   Knowing what to do to be ready for a disaster is your best protection and your responsibility. Work with your family to prepare, in advance, for a disaster. Assemble a disaster supply kit and make a plan! Your kit should have enough supplies for a minimum of three days and include water, food, first aid kit, prescription and non-prescription medicines, tools, sanitation supplies, clothing and bedding, important family documents, contact information for your local emergency responders, maps of your local evacuation zones, and other supplies. Your disaster plan should include checklists of important steps to take before, during, and after a disaster.
   
   For information on making a family disaster plan and things to put in a disaster supply kit go to www.floridadisaster.org.