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What do our homes have to do with our kids’ health?
New
Zealanders always seem to be working on their homes,
whether we are painting, renovating, building, or
gardening….we are a country keen on home
improvement, but we need to be keen on health
improvement too.
Not
enough parents are aware of the link between a
healthy home and a healthy family. But the good news
is that with a few simple home improvements, parents
can see health improvements for the whole family –
and save some energy and money at the same time.
What
do parents need to do at home to make their homes
healthier? Just remember 3 simple things: dry,
warm, and pollution-free.
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand is
committed to helping New Zealanders breathe easier, and
with the support of Contact Energy during our Asthma
Awareness Week (15-21 March 2005), the Foundation is
promoting these 3 easy ways to make homes healthier.
Their website details more ways you can make your home
healthier:
www.asthmanz.co.nz
, so check it out!
Keep it
dry!
Condensation
Condensation indicates a lot of moisture in the
house. It contributes to mould growth and it makes
houses feel colder and makes them more difficult to
heat. Mould is also a trigger for asthma.
How
does it occur?
Our
daily habits create a cycle of condensation. Morning
showers and cooking breakfast produce water. Turning
on heaters enables the air to absorb this moisture.
The house is then closed up for the day and usually
cools down. Evening activities may produce more
water in the house from cooking, washing and drying
clothes.
What
should I do?
Ventilation is important for reducing and controlling
condensation. The cheapest and most effective method is
to have windows open a small amount over long periods of
time.
-
Close doors to the bathroom or laundry if large
amounts of water vapour are being produced, so
that it doesn’t spread throughout the house, and
open the window in those rooms to allow water
vapour to escape
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Dehumidifiers may help in problem areas such
as a closet or wardrobe but they are not a
substitute for adequate heating or
ventilation.
Dampness
Damp homes can cause
health problems and they are more difficult to heat.
If a home is insulated, ventilated and adequately
heated, but dampness and mould growth continue,
moisture may be coming from beneath the floor,
rainwater, or plumbing.
Surface water
If there is surface
water around the house then clear or create drainage
channels.
Ventilation
Good cross-ventilation
under the home reduces the build-up of damp air
beneath a floor. Make sure air flow isn’t obstructed
by objects, and remove any vegetation and soil that
block the vents.
Cover the ground
Cover the ground under
the house with polythene to reduce the amount of
moisture released into the underfloor space.
Roof space moisture
If you have a water
tank in the roof space, fit it with a tight lid. Do
not duct bathrooms and kitchens into the roof space.
Leaks and other causes
Check that guttering
and down pipes are working properly and repair any
leaking plumbing. Make sure your roofing, windows
and doors are in good condition and repair any
problems.
Keep it warm!
The World Health
Organisation recommends a
minimum internal
temperature of 18°C. Below 16°C there is an
increased risk of respiratory disease, so keeping
your home warm will help keep you healthy.
Did you know that about
40% of heat can escape through an uninsulated roof?
What should I do?
Insulation
The most effective and
important way to keep your home warmer is to install
insulation, particularly in the ceiling. Install
insulation under the floor if you can. Insulating
walls is a major job so it is best done when
renovating.
Sealing gaps will
reduce heat loss for little cost:
-
block off open
fireplaces if they are not in use
-
use draught stoppers to
close off the gaps under doors
-
use draught strips or
seals on windows and doors
-
good fitting curtains
reduce heat loss at night and keep in the heat gain from
the sun during the day
-
double-glazing can halve
the heat loss of single glazed windows but you’ll still
need curtains.
Keep it
pollution-free!
Smoke
Babies and kids of all
ages develop health problems from passive smoking
(second-hand smoke) because they are smaller and the
dangerous substances in smoke are more harmful to
them. They also spend a lot of time with parents and
caregivers and if the parent or caregiver smokes
they are exposed to it for longer periods of time.
Infants and children
who breathe in smoke can:
-
suffer more ear, nose, throat
or chest infections, croup and
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