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Learn about dehumidifiers, humidifiers, air purifiers, carbon monoxide poisoning, radon, asbestos, fire safety, and intruder security for a healthy home environment.
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UNIT 8.01+8.02Devices to Control Air Quality • Dehumidifier- an appliance that removes moisture from the air. • Excess humidity can cause discomfort, mildew, musty odors, rust, etc. • * Not as necessary if you have an air conditioner because an AC removes moisture and heat. • Can be built in or portable.
Humidifier • Adds moisture to the air. • Dry air is a problem in some climates, especially during winter months when homes are heated. • Static electricity, splits in wood floors and furniture are signs the air is dry. • Can be built in or portable.
Humidity • Humidity levels have a dramatic effect on comfort. • To be comfortable, humidity levels should be 30-50% in winter and 40-50% in summer. • Lower levels can dry out and irritate skin. • Higher levels feel damp, encourage mold and mildew, cause allergies and damage to your house. • Southwestern – dry most of the time • Other regions – Winter heat robs the air of humidity.
Air Purifiers • Remove particles from the air such as pollen, pet dander, mold, dust, smoke, mildew, organic odors and chemical vapors (formaldehyde – paneling and plywood glue) • Uses ionization to clean air (particles stick to a plate) • Purifiers return air fresh to the atmosphere. • Plates need to be cleaned periodically.
Air Filters • Air filters like this HePA filter remove harmful particles out of the air (mold spores, dust mites, pet dander, other allergens) • Found in furnaces, air conditioners, air purifiers, etc.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning • Carbon monoxide – the most dangerous of all indoor pollutants. • A colorless, odorless gas, tasteless gas that is produced by the incomplete burning of fossil fuel. • Fossil fuels include natural gas, propane, gasoline, charcoal and wood. • Depending on the gas inhaled, symptoms of poisoning can include: temporary headaches to permanent brain damage to death. • Nausea, coughing and dizziness – (flu like symptoms)-usually first signs.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning • Most cases occur with the onset of cold weather (furnaces restarted without proper cleaning). • Homes that are tightly caulked and weather stripped – at risk (Ideal for build up of this gas). • To prevent – maintain fuel burning appliances, vent all fuel burning appliances to the outside. • Install Carbon Monoxide detectors – check batteries every 6 mos. To 1 year.
Radon • A natural radioactive gas. • Found in high concentrations in soil and rocks containing uranium. • Believed to be a cause of lung cancer. • Odorless, tasteless gas • Keep home well ventilated • Measure level with radon test
Asbestos • Fireproof, cancer- causing mineral that can easily become airborne and inhaled. • Used prior to 1978 in insulation, linoleum flooring, and other building materials. • When renovating older homes, asbestos needs to be professionally removed.
Home Safety • Causes of Fires: • Placing combustible (burnable) materials too close to source of fire. • Falling asleep while smoking • Being careless with flammable materials • Operating defective electrical or heating equipment.
To Prevent Fires • Choose more flame resistant upholstery fabric. • Store flammable liquids properly. • Keep matches out of reach of children. • Do not overload electrical wires. • Dispose of trash regularly. • Have heating system inspected regularly. • Burn only dry seasoned wood in fireplaces • (green causes flammable tar build up in chimney). • Install a smoke detector (where?)
Fire Extinguishers: • Class A – for fires involving paper, wood, fabric, ordinary combustibles, plastics, etc.( Use Water extinguisher). • Class B – liquids that combust into fire- overheated cooking oil in a skillet, grease fires, paint or solvents, flammable liquids (Use a dry chemical extinguisher). • Class C – Electrical fires (faulty wiring in appliances and TV (Use Chemical extinguisher) • ABC extinguishers can be used on all three types of fires.
The UL Seal • The Underwriters Laboratories seal found on electrical items means the tool or appliance, etc meets certain safety standards.
Security from Intruders • Don’t publicize your absence (most burglaries committed during the day). • Leave a vehicle in the driveway. • Stop delivery of mail and newspapers. • Return trash cans from the curb. • Used a timer for lights. • Keep yard mowed. • Open drapes during day, close at night. • Keep a dog. • Don’t let strangers into your home.
Security from Intruders • Know who is at the door (use peephole- door viewer, chain lock). • What if a stranger asks to use your phone? • Use outside lighting at every entrance. • Secure locks on all doors and windows. • Install a home security system with an alarm.
Security from Intruders • Rules for children • Make exterior of home as visible as possible. • Use dusk to dawn lights (automatic timer) • Use motion detectors outside. • Trim all shrubs so doors and windows can be seen clearly. • Use thorny bushes.
Security From Intruders • Install deadbolt locks (requires turning a knob or key without action of a spring). Best to use one with key for inside and outside (double- cylinder lock). • Never leave keys in locks or hide keysnear entrances (under the mat). • Install strong exterior doors (metal or wood). • Video door-answering system lets you see and hear a caller at your door.
Security from Intruders • If door with glass pane, install a rigid transparent panel of plastic or acrylic. • Mark your valuables with an identificationnumber. (easier to trace, harder to sell). • Keep valuable items such as jewelry locked away.
Home Security Systems • The newest models use biometrics to determine who belongs in the home and who does not. • Biometrics (identification of an individual by a unique physical characteristic)-keyless entry using fingerprints, the pattern of an eye’s iris, vein patterns inhands.
