Keep the Happy in Your Winter Holidays: Stay Warm and Safe

Wintery home.

Most of us look forward to the fall and winter holidays as times for celebrating, feasting, homecoming, and gathering, connecting with our deepest spiritual roots, saying goodbye to the old year and ringing in the new.

Yet the record shows a season of Menorahs and other celebratory candles igniting the drapes, Butterballs flaming up from their fryers, improperly installed woodstoves and combusting Christmas trees destroying homes.

We’re dizzy with busyness, easily distracted, preoccupied with changes to our normal routines and …

Is there a test for mold that can be used in homes?

In most cases, laboratory testing/sampling is not necessary for mold detection. Also, accurate mold testing is expensive. Do-it-yourself kits you may purchase will not provide accurate useful information. If you can see or smell mold, then you have it! Rather, utilize the money to remove the mold and prevent it from reoccurring by fixing the moisture problem that permitted the mold to grow.
Laboratory testing can identify the type of mold, but regardless of the type, it is not healthy …

I have mold in my home. How do I get rid of it?

Mold in a home can be a serious problem, and one that deserves your immediate attention. Any problem with mold means there is a moisture problem. In addition to cleaning up the mold, you need to determine source of excess moisture solve the problem.  

Building an energy efficient home or making energy saving home improvements should always be done with a good understanding of moisture and methods to control rain entry,  humidity and hidden condensation.  For more insight into moisture …

What do you need to know about mold in your home?

Mold can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance if moisture is present. Mold can grow on wood, paper, carpet and food. Exposure to mold can cause cold-like symptoms, respiratory problems, nasal and sinus congestion, watery eyes, sore throat, coughing and skin irritations, and can trigger asthma attacks. Because some mold spores are very small and can easily be breathed deeply into the lungs, it is not safe to live in houses with high mold levels. …

Mold is natural, so what's the big deal?

Molds are natural and generally pose no adverse health effects outside the home. However, mold indoors can be an indoor air issue. Mold produces spores that become airborne. These spores and mold fragments are introduced into the respiratory system, where they can cause allergic reactions, trigger asthma attacks, and cause other health problems. EPA A Brief Guide to Mold and Moisture Control . See also Healthy Homes Partnership