Our house should be our bastion of safety, one where we can feel comfortable enough not to worry about dangers. It should also have our health and well-being in focus, as it’s the place where we’ll be spending most of our time.
However, something to remember when it comes to health and safety is not to forget how multifaceted it is. Health obviously deals with whether the house promotes cleanliness and hygiene, but safety includes how safe it is to be in the house. Below are some ways to increase both.
Have a Mudroom
The global social climate has become virus-sensitive, which is very understandable, being that there’s a pandemic ranging in many parts of the world. Many people are taking a more proactive stance in keeping their house germ-free, and one way to make that easier is by having a dedicated mudroom.
Essentially, a mudroom is an area in the front of your house where anyone coming in can take off their boots, coats, and bags and disinfect them. This helps keep germs and bacteria out of the house, not just the dangerous ones, but even the more annoying ones like dirt from shoes and other stuff.
Install Accessibility Railings
Stairs, elevations, and the bathroom are areas where people tend to slip more often. You might think that slipping is such a minor accident that there’s no need to worry, but it’s a danger that can lead to major injuries. If you have children or the elderly living with you in your house, it’s to everyone’s benefit to installing accessibility railings in accident-prone areas.
Stairs need to meet the safety standard and have reliable railings, but you can also put the same level of caution in areas like the bathroom or the restroom. These concerns might not exactly be for you if you’re an able-bodied person, but consider it seriously if there are kids or elderly living with you.
Eradicate Parasites
If you’re finding itches and rashes all over, it’s time to call a pest control service for ticks, mosquitoes, cockroaches, and many others. Pinpointing what kind of parasites dwell in your home can be quite difficult. That’s why it’s simply better to hire a professional to do it for you.
Of course, preventing parasites from breeding is still the best way, so always ensure that your windows and doors are well-sealed, especially in areas facing trees or plants. Also, make sure to clean as frequently as you can as parasites and insects tend to breed in untidy and disorganized areas.
Clean Your Upholstery
Dust, mites, and other bacteria tend to stick to upholstery. Regularly changing your curtains, pillowcases, bedsheets, and other cloth materials used around the house should be a part of your maintenance routine. A weekly change of this upholstery is sufficient. However, it’s also a good idea to change it more often (to two or three times a week) if you’re highly allergic to dust or have asthma.
Clean More Often
Of course, cleanliness is every homeowner’s responsibility. It’s inevitable when it comes to owning a house: you will have to constantly clean. However, a good technique to go by is to clean more frequently but with less intensity. You might already be in the habit of deep cleaning once a month, or even a major cleaning every week. But this still allows germs, bacteria, and other things to pile up.
Instead, clean little by little every day. Vacuum small areas of your house as part of your daily routine, and make it a habit to put things back to where they belong. Being conscious about keeping your house tidy goes a long way in keeping it clean. Not to mention, when you’re cleaning your house, there would be less to clean, and you won’t be as tired doing so.
Childproof and Pet-proof
As mentioned before, if you have children living with you, it’s a good decision to add accessibility railings. However, another thing to consider is childproofing your home, which can double as a means to pet-proof it.
Children are inquisitive and would want to get to spaces and areas they find interesting. The same goes with pets, too. Make sure to use childproof locks on your kitchen cabinets, keep dangerous cleaning agents and chemicals away, and use reliable stands and furniture to make sure that nothing falls over if they’re pushed.
Our safety and health are always our responsibility. We need to make our living space a safer place to be in. The pointers mentioned above can help you achieve that.
