Keeping parents up to date on the latest news in child and teen health
January is Radon Action Awareness Month
According to the
CDC,
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking. In fact, it is responsible for 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the US and can be found in 1 in 15 homes all around the United States.
Children are the most susceptible to (and the most at risk for) dangers associated with Radon gas.
In addition to testing your home for Radon, the CDC suggests that you take the following actions to reduce high radon levels in your home and to protect yourself and your family from an increased risk of lung cancer:
Do not smoke and discourage smoking in your home. Smoking significantly increases the risk of lung cancer from radon and second hand smoke can cause numerous health problems in infants and children, including more frequent and severe asthma attacks, respiratory infections, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Increase airflow in your house by opening windows and using fans and vents to circulate air. Natural ventilation in any type of house is only a temporary strategy to reduce radon.
Seal cracks in floors and walls with plaster, caulk, or other materials designed for this purpose.
If you are buying a new home, ask about radon resistant construction techniques because it's almost always cheaper and easier to build these features into new homes than to add them later.
According to Canada Research Chair for Radiation Exposure Disease
Aaron Goodarzi, "
testing your home for radon gas is an effective prevention strategy and radon is one of the most easily eradicated causes of lung cancer."
According to the EPA, the cold winter months are the best time to test for this odorless and colorless gas. Click here for information on finding a Radon Test Kit and locating a Mitigation Professional.
Why Family Work Should Be A Priority #WeeklyBlogPost
When your children help out with family responsibilities, you're helping them learn to think outside themselves and to take care of the people around them.
When you help your kids learn to complete jobs around the house, they can take pride in their work. This in turn helps your kids feel competent, confident, and capable. For more benefits on making family work a priority in your home,
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