National Center for Healthy Housing

I had the good fortune to be working for Senator Jack Reed in 1999 when he introduced a resolution (S. Res 199) to establish National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in October. It is both ironic and sad that during the one week each year when we celebrate childhood lead poisoning prevention, we are simultaneously engaged in a battle to protect one of the key federal childhood lead poisoning prevention programs from evisceration.

I’m sure everyone likes to live pest-free. I know I do! Therefore be on the look-out for signs (droppings, for example) of pests. Did you know that landlords and property managers of pre-1978 housing are required by Title X to disclose the presence of lead-based paint to their tenants prior to move in? One should always be comfortable and confident in his/her decision on a living place.

Let’s face it, we don’t always remember to watch for healthy home indicators (or lack thereof) when searching for an apartment. Looking for the “right” apartment can be a very stressful, time-consuming, and a daunting task - especially if you are without the services of a realtor. Stress and all, it helps to be mindful of a few things while in search of an apartment.

Oscar the cat has brought some unwelcomed guests into our home—fleas. With a new baby, I’m especially concerned about what type of treatment I should use to get rid of them, without leaving a sea of pesticides behind because our newborn spends a lot of time on the floor.

Last week, I casually mentioned radon testing at the end of my blog post, but it is a very serious issue that everyone should really consider. Radon is a gas that is produced when natural uranium (yes, the stuff that fuels nuclear power) decays. Radon can seep up from the ground and become trapped in buildings, including our homes.