What is a Healthy Home?

Housing conditions can significantly impact a person's health.  From lead paint exposure for children, to trip and fall hazards for seniors, to asthma triggers for asthmatics, to the negative health effects caused by mold.  All of these issues can cause serious illnesses and reduce your overall quality of life.  To determine if your home is a Healthy Home you can conduct a quick assessment.  To view a Healthy Homes Assessment form CLICK HERE

7 Key Elements to a Healthy Home

In order to make your home a Healthy Home and maintain it as one you should follow these 7 key elements.
Element 1:  Keep it Dry
Prevent water infiltration through your roof, foundation, or interior plumbing.  This will prevent mold growth, potential asthma triggers, pests, and structural damage from occurring to your home.  For more information about keeping your home dry CLICK HERE
Element 2:  Keep it Clean
In order to control asthma triggers and reduce areas for pests to hide you should regularly clean your home.  This should include removing clutter, controlling sources of dust, preventing potential food-borne illnesses by disinfecting areas such as countertops where raw meat has been, and establishing a regular cleaning schedule.  For information related to Asthma CLICK HERE.  For information about safe food handling CLICK HERE.
Element 3:  Keep it Safe
Prevent accidental poisonings by keeping your prescription medicines in a secure location and label chemicals clearly and keep them out of the reach of children.  Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors so that you will be alerted in case of an emergency.  Make sure your rugs and carpets are secured to the floor so they don't cause a trip hazard and install handrails and catch bars throughout your home where they are needed.  For more information about keeping your home safe CLICK HERE
Element 4:  Keep it Well Ventilated
Reduce contaminants by not smoking in your home, allow fresh air to enter your home, change your furnace filter regularly, and using an exhaust fan to remove contaminants.  For more information about properly ventilating your home CLICK HERE
Element 5:  Keep it Pest Free
Eliminate food and water sources that may attract pests to your home.  If you have a pest problem choose the least toxic pesticide available to control the problem.  For more information about keeping your home pest free CLICK HERE
Element 6:  Keep it Contaminant Free
Licking County has the highest levels of Radon Gas in the state of Ohio.  The Health Department recommends all residents test their home for Radon.  To requests a FREE Radon test kit CLICK HERE
Element 7:  Keep it Well Maintained
Routinely inspection your home for damage and take action to correct minor problems before they become major issues.  For more information regarding items to look for during routine inspections CLICK HERE

Licking County Healthy Homes Coalition
The Licking County Healthy Homes Coalition was developed in 2010.  The mission of the coalition is:  To insure the residents of Licking County are provided with the necessary information and guidance in order for them to live in a safe and healthy home.  The coalition is made up of a diverse group of agencies serving a variety of populations within Licking County.  To view the educational pamphlet developed by the coalition CLICK HERE

Links to More Info

CDC Healthy Homes Website

Ohio Department of Health Healthy Homes Website

Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force