Nursery No-no
For most expectant mothers, decorating the nursery is an exciting project to complete in anticipation of the new addition. However, when choosing the perfect shade to splash the walls, recruit dad, grandparents or friends to help with this part. Nearly all paints — even environmentally friendly versions — emit fumes and it is unknown what their effects are on the baby. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that pregnant women avoid newly painted rooms (and their harmful odors) for at least two days after the job is done.

Bath Safety
As the “baby bump” continues to grow, the excess weight around the mid-section will shift a mother-to-be’s center of gravity, making her very unstable and increasing the risk of slips and falls. And, according to the Home Safety Council, falls are the leading cause (66 percent) of all nonfatal home injuries — with the bathroom being a main culprit due to water and slick surfaces. Luckily, there are many updates to the bath that can provide added comfort and security.

For help getting in and out of the tub or shower, the Home Safety Council recommends installing grab bars. SecureMount Grab Bars from Home Care by Moen are an ideal choice since they feature a unique anchor installation system that allows homeowners to install grab bars quickly and easily anywhere on the wall — without the need for a stud — for the ultimate in safety and peace of mind. Plus, they are available in a variety of styles and finishes to beautifully coordinate with the rest of the bathroom. In addition to grab bars, a shower chair may be an additional consideration. Products such as Home Care’s new Premium Shower Chair offer comfort, convenience and safety while performing showering tasks, such as washing hair or shaving legs.

Feline Frets
While Fluffy may be a best buddy, her litter box is a “must avoid” for pregnant woman due to the risk of toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by a microscopic parasite that often resides in cat feces. Don’t fret, however, this doesn’t mean you need to get rid of your cuddly kitten. Be sure to keep litter in rooms where moms won’t be exposed and let someone else in the household take over the chore of cleaning the litter boxes.

Call a Maid . . . or Not
Unfortunately, most cleaning products are safe during pregnancy, so expectant status isn’t necessarily a green light to hire a maid. However, there are many things to consider that will keep mom and baby-to-be safe from harm. First, always ensure there is good ventilation and avoid using any products that say “toxic” since they have solvents that could harm the baby. Sites such as www.greenhome.com list the latest lines of environmentally friendly cleaning products. Or, for added peace of mind, just use a combination of baking soda and vinegar as a cleaning solution for just about anything in your home.

Begin to Baby-proof
Once the baby arrives, he will be mobile before you know it. So, take time now to baby-proof your home. Take an inventory of sharp corners, cabinets with dangerous objects and electrical outlets; then purchase and install the necessary safety items, such as corner pads, outlet inserts and cabinet locks to keep baby safe. Next, look for any breakable items that are low enough to be reached or heavy objects up high that could topple over. Inviting friends’ babies and toddlers over is a great way to “test” the baby-proofing efforts.

Pregnancy should be a joyous time in the lives of parents-to-be, so ensure nine months of health and happiness with these few tips. For more information on bath safety products, visit www.homecare.moen.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Home is where the heart is, but what happens if your home becomes the enemy to your health? With Americans worrying more and more about airborne pathogens there has been a big push toward preventive health care solutions.

Staying healthy and preventing illness starts in the home. A clean and safe home can be a sanctuary for the entire family, from infants to seniors. Here’s what you need to know about making your home a healthy place for people of all ages.

1. Healthy and Happy Baby
With a new little one in the home, many people decide to baby proof. You can add locks to your cabinets, move items high out of baby’s reach and block electrical outlets from curious fingers in just minutes. But what about when baby is sleeping? Newborn babies spend half of their day in the nursery resting.

Sudden infant death syndrome, more commonly known as SIDS, is a sudden unexplained death of a seemingly healthy baby that kills 2,500 infants annually. It is the leading cause of death in children between one month and one year.

A recent study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that using a fan while a baby is sleeping can cut the risk of SIDS by 72 percent. A survey by HealthyChildrenToday.com found that 70 percent of mothers were unaware of this fan study. The use of a fan is based on the hypothesis that SIDS is related to babies re-breathing exhaled carbon dioxide that gets trapped near them in bedding. A fan increases room air circulation, decreasing the amount of trapped carbon dioxide.

2. Breathe Easy, Children
You have a fan in the baby’s room and you likely have others in older kids’ bedrooms and throughout your home. Why not take the next step and improve indoor air quality for everyone? Respiratory problems are most troublesome up until age 12.

With national concern about the outbreak of airborne pathogens, influenza prevention has become a focus beyond seasonal vulnerabilities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year an average of 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized because of influenza complications.

A Healthy Fan is a device that incorporates existing ceiling fan technology combined with UV-C light energy to increase room air circulation while decreasing the amount of airborne bacteria, viruses and mold spores. During air circulation, the Air Purifying Medallion traps dust particles and allergens in a charged filter. Some germs, especially virus cells, are extremely tiny and can therefore be suspended in the air. These are the target of the UV-C light, which emits energy that kills and neutralizes germs. The result is a well-circulated room that has a 99 percent reduction in airborne bacteria, viruses and mold spores. A Healthy Fan sanitizes a houseful of air every 15 minutes.

3. Clean Teens and Adults
Unclean surfaces most likely haunt your home — the most notorious being in the kitchen and the bathroom. Buy a good quality bactericidal cleaner and wipe surfaces weekly and more often as they are used. Doing this will reduce the bioload (level of germs and bacteria) found in the home. With many different types of germ-killing sprays and disposable wipes available, this is one of the easiest and fastest ways to a sanitized home.

Another thing you should do on a weekly basis is dust and vacuum. Using a vacuum with a HEPA-rated filter helps catch additional allergens. When you dust, use a damp cloth so you avoid simply pushing dust around and spreading it in the air. Then wipe with a dry cloth to discourage the growth of surface mold.

It only takes a couple of minutes to make your home a healthy home. With these steps, every member of your family will live healthier, whether nine weeks or 90 years old. For more information on the Healthy Fan, visit www.healthyfan.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent