the bupa guide to a healthy home › - › media › dotcom › files › pdfs › home-in… ·...

- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -

The essential guide to making your home healthy and safe

Exclusive tips from Professor Kerryn Phelps, Former NSW Fire Commissioner Phil Koperberg and Building Biologist Nicole Bijlsma

Bupa.com.au/healthyhome

THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME


At Bupa, we want people to live longer, healthier, happier lives – and this includes living in a healthy and safe home.

Whether you’re a home owner or a renter, Bupa Home and Contents Insurance provides support so you know you have top level coverage to help you be prepared for some of life’s unexpected moments.

But there are lots of things that you can do around the house to help create a healthy living environment and keep your home secure.

The tips in this guide will take you through some of the changes you can make to help protect your health andthe health of those in your home.


Chapter 1: Healthy home, happy home


Tip: Pillow talk

Did you know the average bed pillow can potentially contain thousands of live bacteria colonies, as well as yeast, mould and dust mites? Sleep better (and cleaner!) by using a pillow protector and regularly washing your pillows in hot water. It’s also a good idea to replace all your pillows every two years or so. And help keep your bedding clean and fresh by taking a shower before bed and removing all make up.


Tip: Wipe out microbes in the kitchen

Have you ever wondered where most microorganisms flourish in your house? Your kitchen sponge can be a key culprit, so replace it regularly. The kitchen sink and chopping boards are also regular offenders, so always wash these items with hot water and detergent. And did you know your fridge door is another sneaky culprit where germs can flourish, because it’s often easily forgotten during cleaning. A quick spritz with disinfectant on a regular basis can help keep those microbes at bay.


Tip: Keep your frozen food fresh

Have you ever come back from a holiday and wondered if the food in your freezer might have gone off due to a power outage while you were away? Freeze a container of water and rest a coin on the ice. If the coin is at the bottom when you get back, it means the power was out long enough for everything to thaw. If this has happened, discard any food stored in the freezer.


Tip: The many uses of baking soda

Cut back on cleaning products around the house by using humble baking soda. This cheap, non-toxic alternative to chemical cleaners can be applied in dozens of ways. Sprinkle it on a damp cloth to wipe down kitchen counters, apply it to burnt pots to minimize the need for scrubbing, use it to clean children’s toys and leave a small bowl in your cupboard or fridge to soak up smells.


Tip: Be BPA-free

When heating food in the microwave use glass or bisphenol A (BPA)-free plastic containers. BPA is an industrial chemical often found in the plastic used for kitchen storage, and can be absorbed into food and drinks. Low levels of BPA are not usually harmful, but it’s still best to reduce your exposure and go for BPA-free products.


Tip: Washing your machines

Bring the sparkle back to your dishwasher – and keep it in top working order – by adding a cup of white vinegar to the machine when it is empty. Run a full cycle and by the end it’ll seem brand new again. This trick also works for washing machines!


Tip: Banish insects the natural way

Get rid of pesky ants by creating your own natural pesticide. Simply mix 10 drops of citrus essential oil with one teaspoon of cayenne pepper and 1 cup of warm water. Keep it in a spray bottle and use liberally whenever ants invade your living space. Eucalyptus oil mixed with water is also great for keeping away flies, bees and wasps. And fight mosquitos the natural way by investing in some citronella candles to keep the tiny blood-suckers away.


Tip: Get a green thumb

Bring new life to your living spaces by investing in a couple of indoor plants. They look great and, more importantly, soak up carbon dioxide to release oxygen. Good plant choices for the home include aloe vera, chrysanthemum, English ivy and rubber plant.


Chapter 2: Make your home an

allergy-free zone


Tip: Down with dust

Did you know that 20% of Australians have allergic conditions such as asthma, hay fever and eczema? These can often be triggered by allergens around your house including dust, dust mites and mould. Help reduce allergic reactions to dust by wiping down surfaces using a slightly damp microfibre cloth, which picks up seven times its own weight and absorbs the dust rather than smearing and spreading it further.


Tip: Keep your washing clean and fresh

Using a clothesline to dry your washing on a sunny day is always the best option to save energy, but be wary during high pollen seasons that damp washing can be a magnet for allergens. And if you use a tumble dryer, make sure you ventilate the bathroom or laundry and allow for good air flow to prevent mould developing.


Tip: Overcome surface tension

If you are worried about allergens, it is wise to limit soft furnishings, choose polished floorboards over carpet where possible, and vacuum rugs weekly. Also, keep a rack at the front door and ask everyone to remove their shoes before entering the house as this can greatly reduce household dust levels.


Tip: Stamp out damp...

Asthma and hay fever are common conditions often triggered by mould and mildew, which are both caused by damp. To avoid damp, try using a dehumidifier in your home, keeping windows and doors between rooms open to allow air to circulate and putting 100% natural bamboo sachets in your cupboards to soak up moisture.


Tip: Keep areas of your home pet-free

Pets are part of the family, but they can often be the source of serious allergies. Cut down on possible reactions to your furry friends by keeping parts of your home (e.g. bedrooms) pet free, regularly grooming your animals and using an air purifier on a regular basis.


Tip: Freshen your ceiling fans

Dusty ceiling fans are also a breeding ground for mites and allergens and can be hard to clean without spreading particles throughout the room. Try placing a pillow case over each blade and wiping it clean. You can shake out most of the dust outside then wash the case inside out on a hot wash in the washing machine.


Tip: Dealing with dust mites

Dust mites – which live in carpets, rugs, pillows and mattresses – are invisible to the naked eye but feed on dead skin shed by people and animals. People can react to allergens produced by dust mites, so to minimise risk, make sure you vacuum carpets once a week if possible. Have a good vacuum cleaner with a motorised head and a fitted HEPA filter that will clean down to the bottom of your carpet, and catch particles as small as 0.3 microns, which includes most household allergens. Vacuum slowly in one direction and then go back over the same area the opposite way to help cut down on dust mite allergens in your carpet.


Tip: Battle bathroom mould

Clean off dreaded bathroom mould by making a mixture of 75% vinegar and 25% water, and try to keep windows and doors open to allow ventilation and keep your bathroom dry.


Chapter 3: Safety starts

at home


Tip: Don’t dash off when drying

Never be tempted to leave your tumble dryer running when you leave the house. It’s possible for the lint filter to get clogged and catch fire, or for the dryer to overheat and short circuit, so it is always best to be on hand during cycles and ready to put out any possible fires.


Tip: Keep your patch clean and clear

Cleaning up your garden or courtyard makes for a pleasant living space, but it can also make all the difference when bad weather hits. Prune back overhanging branches, store toys safely out of the way in the garage and make sure any outdoor furniture is secure so you can rest easy the next time there is a dark and stormy night.


Tip: Be alert and (smoke) alarmed

Smoke alarms can be lifesavers but only when they are in full working order. Install smoke alarms if you don’t already have them. You need to change the batteries at least once a year to make sure the alarms are always functional and ready to protect your family. It’s also a good idea to have a fire blanket handy in the kitchen and a fire extinguisher near a fireplace or barbecue. Also consider a family fire drill every now and then, and having an evacuation plan will help if there is ever an emergency.


Tip: Avoid breakages

Glass windows and doors look stunning but they can sometimes present a danger to you and your family. Put stickers in the middle of the door (at eye level for both children and adults) to help prevent accidents and install safety glass whenever possible.


Tip: Heed the flood warning

Flooding from excessive rain can be a hassle, requiring extensive cleaning, repair to damaged walls and floors and an increased risk of mould. Protect your home by regularly cleaning out all roof gutters, clearing any leaves and checking that all drains are unblocked and lead away from your house.


Tip: The low down on down lights

Down lights can transform a room but be wary of them overheating. Old bulbs are particularly susceptible to getting too hot, so switch them off when they’re not needed and consider changing to LED down lights, which don’t heat up as much as conventional ones. Also clean your down lights regularly because built up dust can be highly combustible.


Tip: Save energy – and money!

Save energy and cut your quarterly bills by making simple changes around your house. Replace light bulbs with energy saving models, set your washing machine temperature to 30 degrees Celsius, fill the sink with water when washing dishes rather than letting the tap run, and only fill the kettle with the water that you need when you boil it.


7

Chapter 4: Keep your

home secure


Tip: Stay safe on social media

Going on holidays can be exciting but be wary of advertising your absence from home on social media. Sometimes a well-meant tweet or Facebook update can be just the invitation a thief needs to move in on your unprotected house, so carefully monitor any public messages posted by you and members of your family.


Tip: Appearances are everything

Don’t let your home be an easy target for opportunistic burglars. Make sure the front of your house – especially your front door – looks cared for and lived in. Install a deadlock in addition to the standard cylinder lock help make your home safe. Installing an alarm system from a reputable company is also an excellent way to keep your property secure.


Tip: Close the window of opportunity

Large windows and doors are wonderful for letting in light, but they can also make it hard to insulate and easy for thieves to case your home. Install curtains or screens on all windows and remember to close them at night or when you are out. You should also install window locks for an extra level of security.


Tip: Lights are on – anyone home?

Make it even harder for thieves to figure out when you are away by installing a system to turn your lights on and off at the right times when you are on holidays. You can also do the same for your television and radio for extra camouflage. The systems can range from elaborate ones installed by an electrician and controlled remotely, to simple switches you can buy from the hardware store, install yourself and control with a basic timer. Asking neighbours to keep an eye on your property and collect mail are also good safety measures.


Sources

http://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=620http://www.hygieneforhealth.org.auhttp://www.energysavingtrust.org.ukhttp://www.readersdigest.com.au/10-clever-diy-tricks?page=2#sthash.VdXCSnva.dpufhttp://www.readersdigest.com.au

the bupa guide to a healthy home › - › media › dotcom › files › pdfs › home-in… ·...

Documents