Date Published: 01/03/2020 [Source]
We all want to live in a safe, healthy home, but unhealthy conditions are not always immediately obvious. The good news is that once you know what to look for, it's easy to make note of a few things around your home, and then clean them up or improve them. Doing so can literally save your life.
Contaminants in the home also include two toxic gases – carbon monoxide and radon.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that enters your home from the ground, especially in winter. It is odorless, colorless and is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked. Radon testing takes three to seven days, and a radon-reduction system is significantly cheaper than other major home repairs.
Depending on your income, you may be eligible to have a reduction system installed for free, so there is no reason not to test for radon. San Juan Basin Public Health maintains a schedule of radon education workshops this winter, at which you can obtain a free radon test kit for your home.
Buying a carbon monoxide detector is one of the easiest ways to protect your family from household contaminants and is the only way to detect this odorless, colorless, deadly gas. Carbon monoxide detectors are especially important if you burn coal, wood or natural gas for heating or cooking in your home. You should properly maintain your appliances that use these fuels to prevent carbon monoxide from being generated in the first place.