Moving into your new home should be an exciting and fun time for you and your family. However, certain hidden dangers could put your health at risk if they’re not taken care of right away. Keep everyone in your family safe and healthy by performing a few simple tasks around your home. Use this checklist to safeguard against mold, carbon monoxide, lead paint, lead in water and radon.
Uncovering and coping with mold in your home
Check for mildew in the bathroom.
Check for peeling, cracking or blistering paint.
Check for efflorescence or white powder on indoor plaster or brick, usually in the basement.
Check for mold growing in the corner of a kitchen, bathroom or closet.
Find the source of the moisture causing the problem to combat mold.
Install vapor barriers, a fresh-air return on your furnace and a fan in your bathroom and make sure the one you have works properly.
Cover cold surfaces, such as cold-water pipes, with insulation.
Have your ventilation system inspected to ensure moisture can escape.
Buy or rent a Concrobium Fogmaster Tri-Jet Fogger from The Home Depot Tool Rental to eliminate and prevent mold from growing on fabric and hard surfaces.
Carbon monoxide protection
Make sure there are no blockages or leaks in chimneys or vent pipes to ensure odorless and colorless, harmful carbon monoxide fumes don’t leak from furnaces, fireplaces, water heaters and other appliances.
Have fireplaces, water heaters, space heaters, vents, furnaces and boilers regularly inspected by a professional. Contact the Centre for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov to find out more.
Ensure that you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, especially near bedrooms.
Be aware of flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness, which could be caused by small amounts of inhaled carbon monoxide.
Protect against lead paint
Have your home tested for dangerous and illegal lead-based paint by a trained professional. You can find one in your area by contacting the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) at www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/nlic.htm
Use a home lead-testing kit, but be aware that they are not always 100 percent accurate.
Hire a qualified professional to handle the removal of any lead-based paint.
Protect against lead in water
Use a simple Do-It-Yourself Lead-In-Water Test Kit, available at The Home Depot, or contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) at www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/nlic.htm for help.
Hire a certified lead-abatement contractor to permanently remove lead from your home, if you suspect lead in your water.
Consider replacing your interior plumbing if your community installed lead for service connections from the water main to residential property lines. Lead solder was often used to join copper pipes, chrome-plated or brass faucets.
Radon safety
Protect yourself and your family against cancer-causing radon, a colorless, odorless hidden danger that’s produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water.
Contact your state radon office to have a professional test your home.
Know what the indoor radon level is before you buy a home. Ask the previous owner for test results to verify.
Seal any cracks or gaps in your foundation.