Protect The Air You Breathe: How To Protect Yourself Against Radon Exposure
When it comes to home protection and safety, you probably know that you need to be concerned about natural gas leaks in your home. You also know that you need to have a home security system to protect against intruders and fire dangers. However, you might not know that you also need to provide protection against radon detection. Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Here are four steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from radon exposure.
Have Your Home Tested
If you haven't had your home tested for radon, you need to do that as soon as possible. It's impossible to tell whether you're being exposed to radon without proper testing. You can either test your home with a do-it-yourself method, or you can have a professional radon mitigation service come out and take care of the testing for you. If you choose to conduct a do-it-yourself test, you'll gather the sample and send it off to be tested. Once the testing is complete, you'll receive a detailed report.
Install a Radon Detector
If you're like most people, you have at least one smoke detector installed in your home. However, you probably don't have a radon detector. If you don't, it's time to have one installed. Radon detectors will alert you as soon as the radon levels increase in your home. Without early detection, you may be exposing yourself and your family to an invisible hazard.
Increase Ventilation in Your Home
If you tend to keep your doors and windows closed up tight all year round, you need to increase the ventilation. Opening the windows and circulating the air with fans is a good way to clear your home of harmful radon gases. It's also a good idea to install a home air purification and ventilation system. That way, you know that the air in your home is safe to breathe.
Seal Up the Cracks
Radon gas seeps up through the soil as rock decomposes. If you have cracks in the foundation or in your walls, radon gas will have an easier time getting into your home. To make sure your home is safeguarded against radon gas, be sure to seal up all the cracks properly. Foundation cracks should be repaired by a professional contractor. However, cracks in your plaster and stucco can be repaired using latex caulking. It's also important that you seal the cracks around your doors and windows, as well.
