Today is Earth Day, and not only is it a great time to commemorate the many tasks that can be carried out in order to ensure the planet’s continued well-being, there are also some things you can do to protect your own safety as well as the safety of your family. The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine explains how to do so.
You can begin by eliminating common households threats. If you suspect that you have asbestos in your home, for instance, you should visit the website of the CPSC to learn how to identify the threat, and if you confirm the material’s presence, get in touch with a contractor who is licensed to remove it. Don’t do it yourself, as rustling the material can put you in danger of experiencing health problems.
You should also run tests to determine if lead or radon exist in unsafe levels within your home. As with asbestos, removing lead from your home should be a task carried out only by professionals. The same goes for cutting down on radon levels. Each of these things can cause severe health issues over the course of time, and you want to make sure you get the job done properly.
Of course, some safety precautions are well within your power to take. Household chemicals and pesticides should be stored in a safe manner, far from where a child could gain access to them. Proper usage and disposal instructions should be followed at all times.
Remember that the steps you take to keep the environment safe also tend to keep your family safe.