Most people spend at least half of their time at home. A healthy, safe, affordable, and accessible home meets their basic needs while keeping them safe from illness and injury.

The primary purpose of a house was to provide people with necessities such as walls to keep out animals and a roof to keep out the rain. People added openings to let in the fresh air and let out smoke and fumes as their health knowledge grew that a home needed safe water and ways to treat waste to help prevent disease.

An unhealthy home is associated with poor health and can occasionally make us sick, whereas a healthy home prevents injury and disease.

A healthy home has

Good indoor air is smoke—free, CO-free, and has good ventilation.

Safe water—a clean supply and water temperature set at 120ºF.

A healthy home is

• Free from lead, high levels of radon, and excess chemicals.
• A solid structure that keeps out pests, moisture, noise, and pollution.
• Safe from injuries—it has smooth floor surfaces, stair handrails, adequate lighting, and safety devices.

A home is a system

To have a healthy home and keep it healthy, pay attention to the whole home.

Solutions to housing problems are interconnected

One fix can help with more than one problem:

Preventing moisture can keep out pests and keep the paint intact.

• Ventilating well can eliminate poisons, keep moisture down, and bring in fresh air.

• Installing a vapor barrier can keep out radon and prevent moisture.

• Replacing old windows can reduce lead-based paint, save energy, and improve ventilation.

Everyone can have a healthy home. Stay tuned for our next article on What is a healthy home.

Source

 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A healthy home for everyone. Publish date not listed. Accessed February 22, 2022. https:// www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/publications/final_companion_piece.pdf