Follow the Four C’s from Trusted HGTV Contractor Mike Holmes FEATURES
FAMILY
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very household has its honey-do list, but inevitably you’re not always going to have time to cross off every project
on the list. Rather than setting lofty goals that make it easy to procrastinate, the key to a productive
and effective list is to be realistic. Start with the projects that will have an immediate effect on creating and
maintaining a safer and healthier home.
“Keep your ‘honey-do’ list manageable. Move long-term projects to the end and bump up the jobs that will help
make your home healthier,” said Mike Holmes, renowned and trusted contractor on HGTV and healthy home expert.
“When you know you’re making a positive impact on your family’s health and safety, doing those jobs is easy.”
The Four C’s
Holmes also recommends following the four “C’s” for a healthier honey-do list:
Mike Holmes
CHECK
CHECK
CONTROL
CONTROL
n Exhaust
n Moisture
Fans
Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans play an important role
in reducing moisture in the home. Conduct a simple test by
turning on the exhaust fan and placing a tissue up to the vent
to check the strength of your vent fans. The fan should be
strong enough to hold the tissue in place. Fans not working
properly are ineffective at controlling smoke and humidity,
and allow fumes, moisture and pollutants to circulate and
settle throughout the home.
n Flue
Pipes
Inspect flue pipes — also known as stove pipes, smoke pipes
and chimney connectors — on a quarterly basis for cracks or
holes. Cracks in the pipes allow fumes and gases like carbon
monoxide to enter the home rather than be funneled outdoors.
If the pipes are cracked or corroded, call a professional to
inspect them and possibly replace the pipes, as it may be a
sign of a larger problem.
Guests
Install weatherstripping around doors to seal gaps and repair
or replace damaged window frames to protect the home from
rodents, insects and other unwanted guests. Rodents and
cockroaches, for example, may trigger allergy symptoms
and even asthma attacks in those that are sensitive to them,
according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The bonus is that by getting rid of gaps you will also improve
the energy efficiency of your home.
n Roof
Filters
Use a Filtrete Ultra Allergen Reduction Filter to help clean
the air in the home by removing airborne particles, such as
mold spores, dust mite debris, bacteria and viruses from the
air passing through the filter. Remember to change it at least
every three months or more frequently if you have pets, burn
candles often or are doing home improvement projects. The
American Lung Association says that, poor indoor air quality
in the home can cause headaches, dry eyes, nasal congestion,
nausea and fatigue.
n Batteries
Test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors every month,
and change the batteries at least twice a year. Don’t wait until
the detectors are chirping, as that sound usually means the
batteries are about to die and your family will no longer be
protected. Remember, you can sometimes see smoke in the
home but you can’t see or smell carbon monoxide.
www.Filtrete.com
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