Good preventive medicine -- the proactive steps one can take to avoid disease and injury -- begins with maintaining a healthy home environment for you and your family.
Learning about home fire prevention, the safe use of gas appliances, swimming pool safety, healthy cleaning practices, and safe storage of toxic products in your home are among the many steps you can take to ensure a safe physical environment. Those with specific medical conditions may require additional measures to make their home as healthy as possible. For example, asthma and allergy sufferers may require removal of potential allergy triggers in the home. Maintaining a smoke-free home always is of benefit to the health of the entire family. If you have children, "childproofing" your home (by physically limiting access to dangerous areas and situations) is critical for a safe environment.
A "healthy" home also involves a sound emotional environment. Effective communication among family members, the willingness to compromise, and strong conflict-resolution skills can help foster an atmosphere of mental well-being for everyone. Stress-management skills, including simple relaxation exercises, can be learned and practiced by everyone. Those with children at home know that achieving healthy parent-child relationships is crucial for a healthy home environment. Healthy parenting skills can also be learned and practiced to reduce stress in the home for both children and parents.
Nutritional choices are another component of a healthy home. Making good nutritional choices (such as eating adequate amounts of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, reducing consumption of refined carbohydrates, avoiding sugar-laden juices and sodas) can help prevent adult and childhood obesity and associated medical complications such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Parents can help their children develop good nutritional habits by serving healthy meals at home and packing healthy school lunches and snacks.
Finally, certain times and situations may require special or additional health and safety measures. Family vacations, travel abroad,summer beach trips, and holidays are all examples of situations where you can take extra preventive measures to keep your family as safe and healthy as possible.
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FAQs
A healthy home is
Free from lead, high levels of radon, and excess chemicals. A solid structure that keeps out pests, moisture, noise, and pollution. Safe from injuries—it has smooth floor surfaces, stair handrails, adequate lighting, and safety devices.
What are 8 principles for healthy homes? ›
Follow the Eight Healthy Homes Principles
- Keep it Dry. ...
- Keep it Clean. ...
- Keep it Safe. ...
- Keep it Well-Ventilated. ...
- Keep it Pest-free. ...
- Keep it Contaminant-free. ...
- Keep your home Maintained. ...
- Thermally Controlled.
A healthy home is one that is dry, clean, safe, ventilated, free of pests and contaminants, well maintained, and thermally comfortable. In addition, homes should be affordable and accessible to all people, regardless of age or ability.
How do you ensure a safe environment at home? ›
__ Keep stairs and walkways clear of snow, wet leaves, or other debris. __ Repair cracks or chips in cement sidewalks and stairs. __ Make certain railings, gates, and fences are secure and in good repair. __ Place barriers around a fireplace, wood burning stove, or other heat source.
What is a bad home environment? ›
Verbal and physical abuse, frequent arguments, and unresolved conflicts can create an atmosphere of stress and fear, which can have a profound impact on mental and emotional health. Another sign of a toxic environment is the presence of harmful substances, such as mold, lead, asbestos, or other hazardous materials.
What are 4 characteristics that describe home? ›
The qualities of continuity, privacy, self-expression and personal identity, social relationships, warmth, and a suitable physical structure were associated with home environments, and were absent in residences which were not regarded as homes.
What are the 7 principles of healthy homes? ›
Seven Principles of Healthy Homes
- Keep your home dry. ...
- Keep your home clean. ...
- Keep your home well-ventilated. ...
- Keep your home pest-free. ...
- Keep your home contaminant-free. ...
- Keep your home safe. ...
- Keep your home well-maintained.
- Measure and Watch Your Weight. ...
- Limit Unhealthy Foods and Eat Healthy Meals. ...
- Take Multivitamin Supplements. ...
- Drink Water and Stay Hydrated, and Limit Sugared Beverages. ...
- Exercise Regularly and Be Physically Active. ...
- Reduce Sitting and Screen Time. ...
- Get Enough Good Sleep. ...
- Go Easy on Alcohol and Stay Sober.
The mission of Healthy Home Life (HHL) is to help improve the quality of life of children and families by helping families and caregivers learn to utilize preventative strategies to create more nurturing, positive home environments.
What are the 5 healthy environments? ›
Clean air, stable climate, adequate water, sanitation and hygiene, safe use of chemicals, protection from radiation, healthy and safe workplaces, sound agricultural practices, health-supportive cities and built environments, and a preserved nature are all prerequisites for good health.
The family environment “involves the circ*mstances and social climate conditions within families. Since each family is made up of different individuals in a different setting, each family environment is unique. The environments can differ in many ways.
How would you describe a home environment? ›
A "home environment" (especially when used together with the word "unhappy") is less about the physical place where that the child goes home to, and is more about a combination of (1) the child's family and household interpersonal relationships, (2) the emotional impact of the physical conditions in the place where the ...
What is a stable home environment? ›
A stable home environment can provide them with a sense of safety and security, allowing them to heal from past experiences and develop healthy relationships. It also provides them with a foundation for future growth and development.
What are three ways to create a safe environment? ›
Create a Safe and Supportive Environment
- Establish a culture of inclusion and respect that welcomes all students. Reward students when they show thoughtfulness and respect for peers, adults, and the school. ...
- Make sure students interact safely. ...
- Enlist the help of all school staff. ...
- Set a tone of respect in the classroom.
A healthy home is a home that is insulated, dry, clean, safe, ventilated, maintained, pest-free, and energy efficient. A healthy home is important because it allows the occupants to remain safe and healthy in their living environment. Far too often an unhealthy home results in its occupants becoming ill.
What makes a positive home environment for a child? ›
Tip #1: Provide Emotional Support, Love, and Attention
Children require a sense of self and belonging to thrive in the outside world. These are just two primary emotional needs that must be met for learning to occur. Emotional needs are met by parents and families who provide support, love, and attention.
What is the definition of healthy housing? ›
Healthy housing is shelter that supports a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. Healthy housing provides a feeling of home, including a sense of belonging, security and privacy.
