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 We all want to be healthy and safe in our homes. Is your home safe enough for you and your family? You might have a burglar alarm and insurance policies, but what about the other dangers lurking in your home?
Avoiding Illnesses
Doctors suggest a few simple ways to cut down the chances of catching a cold or flu virus:
• Wash hands regularly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Viruses tend to travel on hands.
• Get a flu shot. Children age 6 months and older can be vaccinated against the flu.
• Don’t touch your eyes or nose, especially during cold and flu season.
Cold and flu viruses usually enter the body through those sites.
• Stay away from sick people.
• Cover your mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough.
• Wash counters with a virus-killing disinfectant.
• Don’t share cups or utensils without washing them with hot water and soap.
• Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep.
Combating Allergies
According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergic diseases. If you’re one of those unlucky people, you know how miserable it can be to deal with allergies.
No matter how clean you keep your home, allergens are hiding all over the place. Dust mites are one of the most common allergens and live almost everywhere – in the pillows, mattresses, sofas and carpet. Experts say that allergy sufferers should put special mite-proof encasings on their pillows and mattresses, and they should wash the sheets and pillowcases once a week in hot water. They suggest keeping clothing in drawers and closets because when they are enclosed, the mites are less likely to breed in them.
 Allergy sufferers should use HEPA air filters in rooms where they spend a lot of time. Because moisture is a breeding ground for dust mites and mold, people who are allergic to them should use an air conditioner in the summer and a dehumidifier in the winter to keep the humidity below 50%. It’s also wise to change the air filters in heating and cooling systems often. The instructions should say how often that is.
Since dust mites, mold, bacteria and other allergens love to hang out in carpet and curtains, those with bad enough allergies should replace their carpet with hardwood floors and their curtains with blinds. If getting rid of the carpet is out of the question, use a HEPA vacuum on it as much as possible. Studies suggest that traditional vacuums can actually spread the allergens, making things worse. Clean your carpets, rugs and upholstered furniture with a special allergen-fighting solution.
If pet dander is causing your allergy troubles, you might want to find a new home for your four-legged friends. If you’re not ready to say goodbye to Fido and Mittens, you can still lessen the allergy symptoms by not allowing your pets to sleep in your bedroom and by bathing them with a special dander-reducing shampoo. A HEPA filter will also help take the dander out of the air, experts say.
Mold and mildew are also big indoor allergens. Minimize mold in your home by installing exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom. Use cleaning solutions that are specially formulated to eliminate mold and mildew, and use a chemical-free mold-inhibiting treatment. Limit the number of houseplants in your home, and store old books in tightly sealed containers.
To eliminate pollens in your home, keep the windows and doors closed as much as possible, install window filters and use a HEPA filter.
Preventing Fires
There’s no one leading cause of fires on Hilton Head Island, according to Town of Hilton Head Fire & Rescue Public Education Officer Cinda Seamon. She said fires on the island are caused by cigarettes, candles, cooking, failure of equipment and lightning strikes.
Per Seamon, the fire department recommends that people use the following checklist to ensure their safety:
• Use smoke detectors in the home and test batteries monthly. According to HHIF&R, smoke inhalation causes about 75% of deaths in fires. They say this is the most important thing in preventing fire deaths. If you do not have a smoke detector and you are in need of assistance, call Seamon at 682-5141 or visit one of the island fire stations.
• Keep emergency numbers posted by the phone.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.
• Check all electrical cords and plugs in the house to insure they are not cracked, frayed or broken, and replace if necessary.
• Remove trash, paper, rags and wood scraps from storage areas that could easily burn.
• Ensure that no clothes, paper or flammable products such as paint, gasoline or spray cans are near the hot water heater.
• Make sure that the temperature on the hot water heater is set below 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Have an escape plan with two ways out of each room, and practice escape plans in case of a fire.
Reacting to Medical Emergencies
Do you know what you’d do if someone started choking? What if you found your child lying on the floor not breathing? We all should be prepared for these emergency situations.
The Town of Hilton Head Island Fire Department offers several classes to the public, including first aid, AED (automated external defibrillator), CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) and fire extinguisher training. The town also offers a “Safe Sitters” class, which teaches young people what to do in small medical, fire and security emergencies.
Call the Bureau of Fire Prevention at 682-5141 for more information on any of these classes.
The American Red Cross Palmetto Chapter also offers classes in CPR, AED, first aid and more. Call 757-7437.
Being Prepared for Disasters
Whether it’s a hurricane, tornado or terrorist attack, we should all know how to react in a disaster situation. Thankfully, we know ahead of time before hurricanes strike. We have enough time to get out of town before they hit, but there are a few things you can do to be more prepared when the time comes to evacuate.
The American Red Cross suggests making a plan with your family in the event of an emergency. That plan should include choosing an out-of-town contact to call, deciding on a place to meet, making an escape route, making special plans for the disabled and for pets, and preparing for different types of hazards.
The ARC recommends keeping a disaster supply kit handy with the following items:
• A three-day supply of nonperishable food, water and a manual can opener.
• A portable, battery-powered radio or television with extra batteries.
• Flashlight with extra batteries.
• First aid kit and manual.
• Sanitation and hygiene items.
• Matches in a waterproof container.
• Whistle.
• Extra clothing and blankets.
• Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils.
• Photocopies of identification and credit cards.
• Cash and coins.
• Prescription medications, eye glasses, contact lens solution or spare batteries for a hearing aid.
• Items for infants: formula, diapers, bottles and pacifiers.
• Tools, pet supplies, a map, etc.
Childproofing Your Home
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that each year about 2.5 million children are injured or killed by hazards in the home. These tragedies might have been prevented with child safety devices that can be found at most supermarkets and retail stores.
In addition to normal safety precautions such as using smoke detectors, here are a few tips from the commission for childproofing a home:
• Use safety latches and locks to secure cabinets and doors.
• Use locks and doorknob covers on the doors in your home to keep children out of certain rooms.
• Use safety gates to keep children out of unsafe areas.
• Set your hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and use anti-scald devices on faucets and showerheads.
• Use window guards and safety netting on windows, but make sure you can escape from at least one window in the room in case of a fire.
• Use corner and edge bumpers to protect little heads.
• Use outlet covers.
• If you use gas- or oil-fueled appliances in your home or have an attached garage, you should use a carbon monoxide detector.
• To prevent strangulation on blind cords, cut the cords, and use safety tassels and inner cord straps.
• Use doorstops and door holders.
• Use a cordless phone to make it easier to keep an eye on your children while on the phone. M
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