Spring is just around the corner and, for many, this marks the annual rite of getting rid of things we’ve accumulated through the fall and winter months and doing a little cleaning. As it turns out, this practice can make our homes healthier and safer.
One effect of being cooped up all winter is that indoor air pollution rises. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, our indoor environment is two to five times more toxic than our outdoor environment and seniors are more susceptible to the negative effects of pollution. To make your – or a loved one’s – home a safer place to live and breathe, eliminate the sources of toxic air and then open windows, as weather permits, to let in fresh air and ventilate areas that have been stagnant for months.
- Where possible, choose wood flooring and throw rugs that can be easily washed. Vacuum carpets with a vacuum cleaner that has a High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) filter.
- Dust all surfaces and clean air ducts and furnace and air-conditioning filters regularly.
- Make your own household cleaners. Water and vinegar (or citrus) is a highly effective cleaner with naturally antiseptic properties. Baking soda makes a good scrubbing alternative. Or, purchase natural cleaners, which are becoming more popular and easy to find.
- Make your own air fresheners from essential oils or by simmering cinnamon, cloves or other herbs. Buy beeswax or soy candles instead of gel or paraffin ones.
- Buy air-cleaning houseplants such as heartleaf philodendrons, areca palms, Boston ferns, rubber plants, English ivy, weeping fig and the peace lily.
- Remove your shoes before entering your house to avoid tracking in dirt and other undesirable contaminants – and have guests do the same.
While you’re at it, take some additional steps to make a safer home. According to the AARP Public Policy Institute, 90 percent of Americans age 50 and older intend to stay in their own homes, where they can continue to cherish familiar surroundings and family memories. To help ensure the home remains safe as we age, consider the following:
Remove hazards and add safety features
Make safety improvements and additions, such as non-slip flooring, grab bars in the bathroom, and night lights throughout the house. Inspect smoke alarms. Remove or secure area rugs. The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers a free, online Home Safety Checklist.
Add adapted features for accessibility and independence
Enhance accessibility and improve independence with adaptive features such as easy-grip knobs and pulls in kitchen, wheelchair or walker access, and touch light switches. If necessary, rearrange the house for one-story living.
Make home repairs for comfort and convenience
Make sure roof, gutters, stairs and railings are in good repair. Inspect and upgrade plumbing, electrical, heat and air conditioning systems if necessary. Install energy efficient features such as weather stripping and insulation.
And, finally, clean out your medicine cabinet. If you’re like most people, there’s lots there that can be tossed – like that five-year-old jar of “miracle” anti-aging cream or those teeth whitening strips that expired when The Simpsons aired its first episode. Additionally, getting rid of prescription and over-the-counter medications that have long since expired can keep your family safer. The Drug Enforcement Administration has a list of places where you can dispose of your prescription drugs safely.
