Welcome to the living room challenge!

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Toxic chemicals found in tobacco and cannabis smoke are inhaled when people breathe in second-hand smoke. Non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke have an increased risk of lung cancer, coronary heart disease and respiratory illnesses, so keep your home smoke-free for everyone’s safety.

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Keep your home well-ventilated by opening the windows or running your kitchen or bathroom exhaust fan to prevent buildup of VOCs. VOCs are a large group of chemicals that are present in indoor and outdoor air. VOCs can cause breathing problems, headaches, and irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat.

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There are usually no significant health risks if materials containing asbestos are tightly bound in products and in good condition, sealed behind walls and floorboards, isolated in an attic, and left undisturbed.

If you’re planning renovations or demolitions, you may wish to contact a professional to test for and remove asbestos, if it is found. Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause cancer and other diseases.

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Homes built before 1991 may have lead-based paint. Have the paint in your home tested if you think it may contain lead. Sometimes leaving lead-based paint alone is safer than removing it if it is not chipping or within the reach of children. If you must remove lead-based paint from your wall, consider hiring a professional to remove it. Lead can cause many harmful health effects, especially to your brain, nervous system, blood system and kidneys. Exposure to lead, even at low levels, poses the greatest risk to young children because their bodies are still developing.

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Check the manufacturer’s recommendation to know when to replace a smoke or CO alarm. Buy smoke and CO alarms with a Canadian certification mark such as CSA, cUL, ULC or cETL directly on the product. Be sure to test them regularly.

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You can clean small amounts of mould with water and dish soap. You don’t need to use bleach. You can prevent the spread of mould by inspecting your home for visible signs of mould or areas with too much moisture. Look for stains or discolouration on floors, walls, windowpanes, fabrics, and carpets. Exposure to mould can lead to health effects, like eye, nose, and throat irritation, and can make asthma symptoms worse.

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Using a vacuum with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can help trap small particles, including dust. Exposure to dust and dust mites can cause allergic reactions and trigger pre-existing health conditions such as asthma. You can also keep dust and dirt away by cleaning hard floors and surfaces with a wet cloth or mop.

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When you are outside, your shoes can pick up dirt, harmful chemicals, and other nasty stuff (think dog poop!). Remove your outdoor footwear for a cleaner, healthier home.

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While all 3 of these can cause lung cancer in non-smokers, radon gas is the number 1 culprit. Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in the ground. All homes have some radon in them. The only way to know how much is by testing. Testing is easy, and you can purchase a DIY test kit or hire a professional to measure the radon levels in your home. If you find high levels in your home, it can be fixed.

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Choose air purifiers carefully, as some ‘ozone air purifiers’ release small amounts of ozone into the air. Ozone is a component of urban smog, and prolonged exposure can result in decreased lung function.

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Low humidity in your home can aggravate skin allergies and could cause respiratory infections. High humidity can lead to mould. The ideal home is neither a desert nor a sauna. Installing a humidifier or dehumidifier can help keep it just right.