Children are delicate, and they need to be provided with proper protection from risks threating to endanger their well-being. Indoor air pollution, for example, has a greater impact on kids because they can breathe in and retain more air per unit of body weight than adults.
This can jeopardize their lungs and systems which are still developing. Household chemicals can also be highly toxic, and regardless of how hard you try to keep these things away from your little ones, you know how resourceful they can be, so it is critical to look out for cleaning products and other hazardous materials. Here is everything you need to know about the importance of producing a healthy environment for your children and ways to achieve it.
Why are children more sensitive to the environment?
As we?ve mentioned, children can breathe in more polluted air, and when it comes to the point when their little bodies are overloaded with toxins, their organism cannot deal with it. They can experience adverse reactions to specific exposures such as wall paint, new carpets, cleaning materials, furniture, pillows, and mattress off-gassing, mold, and dust. Some of the symptoms that can arise are coughing, watery eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing, dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. It is well-known that chemical exposure, allergens, and tobacco smoke can trigger asthma, but environmental illnesses include a long list of problems that are difficult to identify.
Why is your home a ?pollution minefield??
While we all like to consider our homes to be safe places, it is true that particles of toxins and gases are being released into the air throughout the entire house from various sources. Some of the most obvious origins of pollution are mold (most frequently found in bathrooms and kitchens), tobacco smoke, and dust mites, but there are those we rarely suspect. Flooring, walls, and furniture can contain hazardous materials, such as asbestos, volatile organic compounds, and formaldehyde. Mattresses, pillows, bedding, carpets, curtains, and similar, are fertile ground for dust mites and other pollutants.
How to fight the dangers lurking in your home?
We are sure that this information sounds terrifying to you, but don?t let it intimidate you. You need to do your best to provide a safe and healthy environment for your children. The best way to do that is to turn your home into an eco-friendly sanctuary. Start by changing what you can change. Use paint colors that do not contain volatile organic compounds. Opt for natural-wood furniture that is not treated with paint, glue or finish that contains formaldehyde. Replace massive wall-to-wall carpets with organic-made area rugs. The living room, for example, is ideal for a stylish jute rug, but this piece is so versatile that it can be a nice asset to the kids? room as well. Opt for sustainable, organic materials for bedding, mattresses, and clothes.
Then apply all the protective measures you can think of, including getting a HEPA air purifier (especially for the kids? room), decorating your home with plants ? natural air purifiers, and improving your home?s natural ventilation. Finally, change and adapt your habits. This means you should vacuum and dust daily to minimize the number of dust mites in the air. Using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter would additionally improve the safety of your home. Get rid of the conventional cleaning products that contain hazardous chemicals, such as parabens, triclosan, and phthalates. Replace them with natural cleaners or make your own cleaning mixtures using ingredients like lemon juice, tea tree oil, vinegar, and baking soda.
?Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach him how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.?
It is perfectly normal that you want to keep your kids protected from everything that could put them in harm’s way, but soon, they?ll become more and more independent. They will go to school, college, and eventually live alone, so they have to know how to nurture the same principles you did. Some of the small, yet relevant things you can teach them are gardening, responsible shopping, recycling, water saving, and cleaning (with natural products, of course).
Children are the future, but to ensure that future is a healthy one, we need to work on creating a place that is not polluted with hazardous materials. The best place to start is your own house.
Article provided by Tracey Clayton.
Tracey is a full time mum of three girls. She?s passionate about fashion, home d?cor and healthy living. Her motto is: ?Live the life you love, love the life you live.?