Home Health Hazards for Older Adults: Home Health Hazards for Older Adults Keeping Your Home Healthy andamp; Comfortable Alliance of Cleveland HUD Tenants Cleveland Tenants Organization Environmental Health Watch Alliance for Healthy Homes 11-15-05


What does my home have to do with my health? : What does my home have to do with my health? Some illnesses are caused or made worse by health hazards in the home especially asthma and other breathing problems


What does my home have to do with my health? : What does my home have to do with my health? We spend more time at home -where pollution is often worse than outdoors. Grandkids can be exposed to hazards – lead poisoning, pests, tobacco smoke.


Purpose of the Presentation : Purpose of the Presentation Information to improve health and comfort. Not our business to tell you how to live. Help each other with knowledge and ideas.


“who is responsible?”: 'who is responsible?' Some hazards are created by residents themselves. Some are problems with the building. .


Quick survey : Quick survey First, let’s take a survey to get an idea what people already know about indoor health hazards.


How would you describe an unhealthy home?: How would you describe an unhealthy home? ??????? ??????? ???????


unhealthy home : unhealthy home Damp – excess moisture leads to mold and pests. Stuffy - dirty air doesn’t leave; clean doesn’t get in. Too hot or too cold – stress on the body. Pests– allergic reactions and asthma.


unhealthy home : unhealthy home Polluted – pesticides, cleaning products, sprays and combustion gases. Dusty andamp; dirty – can contain harmful substances. Cluttered - makes it hard to clean and hard to control pests.


healthy home : healthy home Dry Ventilated Clean Uncluttered Comfortable Pest-free Not polluted


Pests and Pesticides : Pests and Pesticides Pests are a problem - but so are bug sprays. Roaches andamp; rodents can make breathing problems worse Bug sprays can also cause health problems.


Roaches: Roaches Don’t use sprays or foggers. Use gel baits and boric acid products. Don’t make life easy for roaches.


Slide13:


Don’t make life easy for roaches: Don’t make life easy for roaches Don’t feed them. Take garbage out frequently Clean up crumbs Don’t provide water. Dry up spills Report leaks Don’t provide hiding places. Get rid of clutter


Slide15: Is your home roach-friendly?


Too cold…: Too cold… Kerosene heaters are dangerous. Don’t use stoves for heat. Pick the right electric space heater – don’t get burned.


Too hot…: Too hot… Serious health concern. Use window fan to take out hot air during the day bring in cool air in the evening. Shade the sunny side of the apartment during the day.


Tobacco Smoke: Tobacco Smoke Bad for the smoker; bad for others in the home. Best to quit; hard to do. Smoke outside to reduce exposure for others. One of the most important things you can do for your grandkids.


What’s wrong here?: What’s wrong here?


MOLD: MOLD Many people are allergic to molds – can make breathing problems worse. So-called 'black mold' is a worry for infants. To get rid of mold, get rid of excess moisture.


Cleaning mold: Cleaning mold Landlord’s responsibility. Large area requires professional. Small areas of mold, you may be able to clean. Factsheet - Cleaning Mold


EXCESS MOISTURE: EXCESS MOISTURE Report leaks promptly. Cleanup leaks and spills right away. If things get wet, dry them quickly. Discard items soaked more than a couple of days.


EXCESS MOISTURE: EXCESS MOISTURE Use vent fans in bath and kitchen. Cover pots that steam for hours. Don’t use humidifiers.


Stop pollution from getting inside: Stop pollution from getting inside Most dirt in a house comes in from outside. Shoes carry lead, pesticides, oil, gasoline, pollen, etc. Door mats help a lot. Taking shoes off works best.


Products that pollute: Products that pollute Strong odor can irritate breathing – moth balls, perfume, cleaning products, etc. 'Air fresheners' don’t really 'freshen'. Mercury fever thermometers are a problem if they break.


Protecting the grandchildren: Protecting the grandchildren Smoke outside. Use safer pest control. Stop lead dust at the door. Keep your medicines secure.


Bottom line: Bottom line Your home effects your health Simple steps: Get rid of excess moisture Use safer pest control Stop pollution from getting inside Avoid products that pollute Keep cool and keep warm safely


Getting the landlord to make the repairs: Getting the landlord to make the repairs Landlord has a legal duty to fix certain things -water leaks, heat, ventilation. You must give them written notice of the problem. Keep a copy!!!!


Getting the landlord to make the repairs: Getting the landlord to make the repairs Landlord has maximum of 30 days to make repairs. Tenants can rent-strike at the Court, if repairs are not made. It is illegal for a landlord to retaliate.


Strength in Numbers : Strength in Numbers When tenants have common concerns, make demands together. Use petitions.


Document, Document, Document!!!: Document, Document, Document!!! Take photos. Write things down when they happen. Keep logs.


Survey: Survey Please fill out the survey again We will review it together to see if there are any questions.


How did We do?: How did We do? Please fill-out the evaluation form Your comments