The team at RestoPros understands the importance of keeping our children safe, secure and happy at all times. As mold remediation experts, we understand the potential health effects mold growth can have on babies and young children. To mark the beginning of this National Baby Safety Month, we’re going to tell you a little bit about how you can protect your kids from mold!
Health Effects of Mold on Children
Before we tell you how you can protect your kids from mold, we suggest you read up a little bit about how mold can negatively impact the health of children.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Institute of Medicine found “limited or suggestive evidence” that exposure to damp indoor environments can lead to shortness of breath and other respiratory illness in generally healthy children. In addition, there could potentially be a link between early mold exposure to development of asthma in some children, especially those who are prone to asthma developments.
If your child already has asthma, mold spores they inhale can cause airways and lungs to constrict, leading to shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing. While there is still some research to be done on the link between adverse health problems and mold, there is no harm in taking the right precautions to keep your children safe from mold.
Get Rid of Indoor Dampness
The most common reason behind why mold continues to infest homes is excessive dampness and moisture. Mold is a fungus that primarily grows in moist and damp environments. Therefore, the best way to prevent respiratory reactions to mold, is to eliminate its ideal environment for growth. Here are some ways you can get rid of indoor moisture and dampness to protect your kids from mold.
- Don’t Leave Damp Items Around
Mold can start to spread between 24-48 hours in excessively damp areas. Keep items dry to prevent mold. When you’re done using a towel after the shower, don’t throw it on the floor or in the hamper. Instead, hang it up to dry. Or put it in the washer to wash immediately. If you have older children, you can train them to do this too.
- Check for Leaks
Inspect your bathtub, bathroom and kitchen sinks, and toilet to ensure there aren’t any leaks. You could have leaks because of deteriorated caulking, which can lead to mold.
- Have Proper Ventilation
Properly ventilate areas where there is potential for moisture such as your laundry room, bathroom and kitchen.
- Wipe Everything Down
Whenever you’re done using your sink or shower, any splashed water can collect in corners and lead to the ideal moisture content for mold. Take a minute to squeegee your bathroom walls or use a paper towel to wipe down the sides of your sink. This is a great cleanliness lesson to teach your kids as well!
Use a Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier is a great appliance to have, especially if you live in a humid climate. Dehumidifiers give you greater control of the humidity and moisture in your home. The ideal humidity for your home should be between 30 and 50 percent. Dehumidifiers come in many sizes and you can choose one that fits your needs and budget. In addition, they can prevent allergens that are active in humid environments. Read our ultimate guide to dehumidifiers to learn more about these convenient appliances.
Educate Your Kids About Mold
It’s never to early to start educating our children about the wonders of science (and the horrors of mold). To educate your kids about fungus and mold, there are many science experiments you can do that can increase your children’s observation skills and help them develop a love for science. In addition, these experiments can be great boredom busters.
Avoid Areas with High Mold Counts
If your child has asthma or is relatively prone to respiratory illnesses, it is best to try to avoid areas where there are high mold counts. Higher counts of mold spores can be found in places where there are compost piles, cut grass and wooded areas.
Protect Your Kids from Mold with RestoPros
We hope this list of ways to protect your kids from mold is a helpful and informative start to National Baby Safety Month. If you would like to learn more about mold prevention and removal, get in touch with the experts at RestoPros. We provide services such as mold testing, mold remediation and water damage restoration. Call us today at 855-587-3786 or schedule an appointment online!