Healthy Homes

What is a Healthy Home?

 A healthy home is one that is maintained free of environmental health and safety concerns.  It has good indoor air, good ventilation, safe water, is free from lead, excess chemicals, and high levels of radon.  It also keeps out pests, moisture, noise, and pollution and keeps us safe from injuries through the use of safety devices. 

Why is it important?

 An unhealthy home can lead to poor health outcomes such as:   

• Lead poisoning due to peeling paint or poor repair/paint work on a home build before 1978.
• Asthma, respiratory problems, or cancer due to smoking or secondhand smoke exposure
• Lung cancer due to radon
• Fire deaths or injuries due to lack of a working smoke alarm
• Death or injury due to carbon monoxide exposure
• Asthma or respiratory problems due to moisture and mold

This is especially important because most people spend at least 50% of every day inside their homes.

For more information, please click here to go to the Wisconsin Department of Health website.