1 – Dry
- Prevent water from entering your home through leaks in roofing systems
- Prevent rain water from entering the home due to poor drainage around the outside of the home
- Check your interior plumbing for any leaking
What you can do
- See how mold and moisture can trigger asthma symptoms.
- Take steps to prevent mold and moisture in your home.
2 – Clean
- Control the source of dust and contaminants
- Create smooth and cleanable surfaces
- Reduce clutter
- Use effective wet-cleaning
What you can do
- Read about VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) that can come from cleaning supplies and how to keep them out of your home.
- Learn about pest control to keep pests out of your home.
3 – Safe
- Store and properly label
- Keep poisons out of the reach of children
- Secure loose rugs and keep children’s play areas free from hard or sharp surfaces
- Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and keep fire extinguishers on hand
What you can do
- Learn steps to keep your children safe in the home.
- See clear steps to reduce home safety hazards such as faulty smoke detectors.
4 – Well-Ventilated
- Ventilate bathrooms and kitchens
- Use whole-house ventilation for supplying fresh air to reduce the concentration of contaminants in the home
What you can do
- Learn steps to keep your children safe in the home.
- See clear steps to reduce home safety hazards such as faulty smoke detectors.
5 – Pest Free
- If needed, use sticky-traps and baits in closed containers
- Seal cracks and openings throughout the home so pests can’t get in
- Store food in pest-resistant containers
What you can do
- Check your appliances to ensure they meet ENERGY STAR© standards.
- Use efficient and programmable controls for temperature, water and electricity and install Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs).
6 – Contaminant-Free
- Reduce lead-related hazards in pre-1978 homes by fixing deteriorated paint
- Keep floors and window areas clean using a wet-cleaning approach
- Test your home for radon, a naturally occurring dangerous gas that enters homes through soil, crawlspaces, and foundation cracks
7 – Well-Maintained
- Inspect, clean and repair your home routinely
- Take care of minor repairs and problems before they become large
What you can do
- Get tips on how to maintain your smoke detector, properly store cleaning chemicals and stay up to date on your home maintenance.
- Avoid risk of carbon-monoxide poisoning by following these steps.
8 – Energy Efficient
- Use reduced amounts of energy, water, and resource consumption
- Energy efficiency/weatherization includes: Install proper weatherization, such as: insulation, air-sealing, weather-stripping, and window efficiency
- Maintain efficient heating and cooling system; proper air flow and temperature distribution; efficient hot water / steam boiler system
What you can do
- Check your appliances to meet ENERGY STAR© standards.
- Use efficient and programmable controls for temperature, water and electricity and install Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs).