- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME
The essential guide to making your home healthy and safe
Exclusive tips from Professor Kerryn Phelps, Former NSW
Fire Commissioner Phil Koperberg and Building Biologist Nicole Bijlsma
Bupa.com.au/healthyhome
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
At Bupa, we want people to live longer, healthier,
happier lives – and this includes living in a healthy and
safe home.
Whether you’re a home owner or a renter, Bupa Home
and Contents Insurance provides support so you know
you have top level coverage to help you be prepared for
some of life’s unexpected moments.
But there are lots of things that you can do around the
house to help create a healthy living environment and
keep your home secure.
The tips in this guide will take you through some of
the changes you can make to help protect your health
andthe health of those in your home.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Chapter 1:
Healthy home,
happy home
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Pillow talk
Did you know the average bed pillow can potentially contain thousands of live
bacteria colonies, as well as yeast, mould and dust mites? Sleep better (and cleaner!)
by using a pillow protector and regularly washing your pillows in hot water. It’s also
a good idea to replace all your pillows every two years or so. And help keep your
bedding clean and fresh by taking a shower before bed and removing all make up.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Wipe out microbes in the kitchen
Have you ever wondered where most microorganisms flourish in your house? Your
kitchen sponge can be a key culprit, so replace it regularly. The kitchen sink and
chopping boards are also regular offenders, so always wash these items with hot
water and detergent. And did you know your fridge door is another sneaky culprit
where germs can flourish, because it’s often easily forgotten during cleaning. A
quick spritz with disinfectant on a regular basis can help keep those microbes at bay.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Keep your frozen food fresh
Have you ever come back from a holiday and wondered if the food in your freezer
might have gone off due to a power outage while you were away? Freeze a container
of water and rest a coin on the ice. If the coin is at the bottom when you get back, it
means the power was out long enough for everything to thaw. If this has happened,
discard any food stored in the freezer.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: The many uses of baking soda
Cut back on cleaning products around the house by using humble baking soda. This
cheap, non-toxic alternative to chemical cleaners can be applied in dozens of ways.
Sprinkle it on a damp cloth to wipe down kitchen counters, apply it to burnt pots
to minimize the need for scrubbing, use it to clean children’s toys and leave a small
bowl in your cupboard or fridge to soak up smells.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Be BPA-free
When heating food in the microwave use glass or bisphenol A (BPA)-free plastic
containers. BPA is an industrial chemical often found in the plastic used for kitchen
storage, and can be absorbed into food and drinks. Low levels of BPA are not usually
harmful, but it’s still best to reduce your exposure and go for BPA-free products.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Washing your machines
Bring the sparkle back to your dishwasher – and keep it in top working order – by
adding a cup of white vinegar to the machine when it is empty. Run a full cycle and
by the end it’ll seem brand new again. This trick also works for washing machines!
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Banish insects the natural way
Get rid of pesky ants by creating your own natural pesticide. Simply mix 10 drops of
citrus essential oil with one teaspoon of cayenne pepper and 1 cup of warm water.
Keep it in a spray bottle and use liberally whenever ants invade your living space.
Eucalyptus oil mixed with water is also great for keeping away flies, bees and wasps.
And fight mosquitos the natural way by investing in some citronella candles to keep
the tiny blood-suckers away.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Get a green thumb
Bring new life to your living spaces by investing in a couple of indoor plants. They
look great and, more importantly, soak up carbon dioxide to release oxygen. Good
plant choices for the home include aloe vera, chrysanthemum, English ivy and
rubber plant.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Chapter 2:
Make your
home an
allergy-free
zone
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Down with dust
Did you know that 20% of Australians have allergic conditions such as asthma, hay
fever and eczema? These can often be triggered by allergens around your house
including dust, dust mites and mould. Help reduce allergic reactions to dust by
wiping down surfaces using a slightly damp microfibre cloth, which picks up seven
times its own weight and absorbs the dust rather than smearing and spreading it
further.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Keep your washing clean and fresh
Using a clothesline to dry your washing on a sunny day is always the best option
to save energy, but be wary during high pollen seasons that damp washing can be
a magnet for allergens. And if you use a tumble dryer, make sure you ventilate the
bathroom or laundry and allow for good air flow to prevent mould developing.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Overcome surface tension
If you are worried about allergens, it is wise to limit soft furnishings, choose polished
floorboards over carpet where possible, and vacuum rugs weekly. Also, keep a rack
at the front door and ask everyone to remove their shoes before entering the house
as this can greatly reduce household dust levels.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Stamp out damp...
Asthma and hay fever are common conditions often triggered by mould and mildew,
which are both caused by damp. To avoid damp, try using a dehumidifier in your
home, keeping windows and doors between rooms open to allow air to circulate
and putting 100% natural bamboo sachets in your cupboards to soak up moisture.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Keep areas of your home pet-free
Pets are part of the family, but they can often be the source of serious allergies. Cut
down on possible reactions to your furry friends by keeping parts of your home (e.g.
bedrooms) pet free, regularly grooming your animals and using an air purifier on a
regular basis.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Freshen your ceiling fans
Dusty ceiling fans are also a breeding ground for mites and allergens and can be
hard to clean without spreading particles throughout the room. Try placing a pillow
case over each blade and wiping it clean. You can shake out most of the dust outside
then wash the case inside out on a hot wash in the washing machine.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Dealing with dust mites
Dust mites – which live in carpets, rugs, pillows and mattresses – are invisible to
the naked eye but feed on dead skin shed by people and animals. People can react
to allergens produced by dust mites, so to minimise risk, make sure you vacuum
carpets once a week if possible. Have a good vacuum cleaner with a motorised head
and a fitted HEPA filter that will clean down to the bottom of your carpet, and catch
particles as small as 0.3 microns, which includes most household allergens. Vacuum
slowly in one direction and then go back over the same area the opposite way to
help cut down on dust mite allergens in your carpet.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Battle bathroom mould
Clean off dreaded bathroom mould by making a mixture of 75% vinegar and 25%
water, and try to keep windows and doors open to allow ventilation and keep your
bathroom dry.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Chapter 3:
Safety starts
at home
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Don’t dash off when drying
Never be tempted to leave your tumble dryer running when you leave the house. It’s
possible for the lint filter to get clogged and catch fire, or for the dryer to overheat
and short circuit, so it is always best to be on hand during cycles and ready to put
out any possible fires.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Keep your patch clean and clear
Cleaning up your garden or courtyard makes for a pleasant living space, but it
can also make all the difference when bad weather hits. Prune back overhanging
branches, store toys safely out of the way in the garage and make sure any outdoor
furniture is secure so you can rest easy the next time there is a dark and stormy
night.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Be alert and (smoke) alarmed
Smoke alarms can be lifesavers but only when they are in full working order. Install
smoke alarms if you don’t already have them. You need to change the batteries at
least once a year to make sure the alarms are always functional and ready to protect
your family. It’s also a good idea to have a fire blanket handy in the kitchen and a
fire extinguisher near a fireplace or barbecue. Also consider a family fire drill every
now and then, and having an evacuation plan will help if there is ever an emergency.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Avoid breakages
Glass windows and doors look stunning but they can sometimes present a danger
to you and your family. Put stickers in the middle of the door (at eye level for both
children and adults) to help prevent accidents and install safety glass whenever
possible.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Heed the flood warning
Flooding from excessive rain can be a hassle, requiring extensive cleaning, repair
to damaged walls and floors and an increased risk of mould. Protect your home
by regularly cleaning out all roof gutters, clearing any leaves and checking that all
drains are unblocked and lead away from your house.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: The low down on down lights
Down lights can transform a room but be wary of them overheating. Old bulbs are
particularly susceptible to getting too hot, so switch them off when they’re not
needed and consider changing to LED down lights, which don’t heat up as much as
conventional ones. Also clean your down lights regularly because built up dust can
be highly combustible.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Save energy – and money!
Save energy and cut your quarterly bills by making simple changes around your
house. Replace light bulbs with energy saving models, set your washing machine
temperature to 30 degrees Celsius, fill the sink with water when washing dishes
rather than letting the tap run, and only fill the kettle with the water that you need
when you boil it.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Chapter 4:
Keep your
home secure
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Stay safe on social media
Going on holidays can be exciting but be wary of advertising your absence from
home on social media. Sometimes a well-meant tweet or Facebook update can be
just the invitation a thief needs to move in on your unprotected house, so carefully
monitor any public messages posted by you and members of your family.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Appearances are everything
Don’t let your home be an easy target for opportunistic burglars. Make sure the
front of your house – especially your front door – looks cared for and lived in. Install
a deadlock in addition to the standard cylinder lock help make your home safe.
Installing an alarm system from a reputable company is also an excellent way to
keep your property secure.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Close the window of opportunity
Large windows and doors are wonderful for letting in light, but they can also make
it hard to insulate and easy for thieves to case your home. Install curtains or screens
on all windows and remember to close them at night or when you are out. You
should also install window locks for an extra level of security.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Tip: Lights are on – anyone home?
Make it even harder for thieves to figure out when you are away by installing a
system to turn your lights on and off at the right times when you are on holidays.
You can also do the same for your television and radio for extra camouflage. The
systems can range from elaborate ones installed by an electrician and controlled
remotely, to simple switches you can buy from the hardware store, install yourself
and control with a basic timer. Asking neighbours to keep an eye on your property
and collect mail are also good safety measures.
- THE BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME -
Sources
http://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=620
http://www.hygieneforhealth.org.au
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
http://www.readersdigest.com.au/10-clever-diy-tricks?page=2#sthash.VdXCSnva.dpuf
http://www.readersdigest.com.au
- THE Insurance
BUPA GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HOME Bupa Home and Contents
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Cover options include1:
Cover for accidental loss or damage2
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Get a quote call 1300 556 874 or go to
Bupa.com.au/healthyhome
*Promotion commences at 09:00am AEST 14/10/2014 & closes at 11:59pm AEST on 09/12/2014. To enter this promotion eligible
entrants must purchase a Bupa Home Insurance policy then submit to [email protected] in 25 words or less, a useful tip
they use to keep their home healthy by the close of the Promotional Period. View full Terms and Conditions.
1Limits and exclusions apply. 2Accidental Damage cover is provided under Bupa Accidental Damage Home Insurance. Bupa Home and
Contents Insurance is distributed by Bupa Australia Pty Ltd ABN 81 000 057 590 (Bupa) AR 354269. The issuer is CGU Insurance Ltd
ABN 29 004 478 371 (CGU) AFSL 238291. This information contains general advice only and doesn’t take into account your individual
circumstances. To consider whether it’s appropriate for you read the Product Disclosure Statement.