It got me thinking that it is true that our health can begin at home. I remember when we just had two kids and rented a small house. We were not alarmed when mold began showing up on the walls - after all a spray with bleach water took care of it! (this was before the affects of mold were widely publicized). Our youngest daughter was always sick with something respiratory or a strange rash. Only after we moved from there to our first home did we make the connection that the house was a key culprit to making her sick. After the move....healthy child!
While the article linked above has many good tips to keep healthy in your home this year, here are some tried and true tips from a mom of four:
- Everyone has their own distinct towel in their bathrooms (no sharing)
- Paper towels - after tiring of passing a virus in a continual circle in our home, I realized we ALL used the downstairs guest bathroom at times and dried our hands on that towel. We added a nice kitchen type paper towel holder to our guest bath and voila! the cycle ended.
- Banishment - if possible set up on area for the sick family member to recover and keep everyone (but the caregiver) away. Make it comfortable and bring in a portable DVD player for movies if no TV outlet. If they are really sick - nothing wrong with the caregiver wearing a mask
- Wipe Down - when sickness arrives in your home, grab the Lysol wipes and wipe down every surface that can be touched - knobs, door jams, refrigerator handles, keyboards (well maybe use something specifically for keyboards) and phones.
- Stock up on key items needed when you're sick...clear liquids, soups, cold remedies. When sickness strikes you may not be able to run to the store....especially if you're the one sick!
- The obvious: wash hands frequently, drink plenty of liquids and stay rested
While it is odd in a Real Estate blog to have these hints - it is important to realize that a home is more than just Real Estate....it is the hub of our lives; and the place we want to be to get well.
Stay healthy!
