Housing and Design Newsletter

Kenneth R. Tremblay, Jr.

Spring, 2007

• May is Asthma Awareness Month
• Poison Prevention
• Healthy Colorado Homes
• Survey From the Soap and Detergent Association
• Mortgage Quiz
• Resources

May is Asthma Awareness Month

Asthma is very common among children. It is a disease that causes the airways of the lungs to tighten. An asthma attack is when your lungs are not getting enough air to breathe. Your child might be having an asthma attack if he or she has trouble breathing, wheezing, coughing, chest pain, and/or chest tightness. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (www.noattacks.org), any home can be full of triggers that cause asthma attacks.

Mold grows on damp things such as shower curtains, bath items, tubs, basins, and tiles. Remedy: If you see small amounts of mold clean it up with soap and water. Use exhaust fans or open a window in the bathroom when showering and the kitchen when cooking or washing dishes. Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water as soon as possible. Dry damp or wet items within one to two days to avoid mold growth.

Dust Mites

Dust mites are tiny bugs you cannot see. They live in sheets, blankets, pillows, mattresses, soft furniture, carpets, and stuffed toys. Remedy: Wash bed sheets and blankets once a week (dry completely). Use dust-proof covers on pillows and mattresses. Vacuum carpets, rugs, and furniture often. Wash stuffed toys (dry completely).

Secondhand Smoke

Asthma can be triggered by the smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar, or the smoke breathed out by a smoker. Remedy: Choose not to smoke in your home or car, and do not allow others to do so either. Do not let anyone smoke near your child.

Cockroaches

Cockroach body parts and droppings may trigger asthma attacks. Remedy: Keep counters, sinks, tables, and floors clean. Clean dishes, crumbs, and spills. Store food in air tight containers. Cover trash cans.

Cats and Dogs

A warm-blooded animal's urine and saliva may also trigger attacks. Remedy: Keep pets outside if possible. If you have pets inside, keep them out of the bedroom and off the furniture. Vacuum carpets and furniture often.

Nitrogen Dioxide

Nitrogen dioxide is an odorless gas that can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat and may cause shortness of breath. This gas can come from the use of appliances that burn fuels such as gas, wood, and kerosene. Remedy: If possible, use fuel-burning appliances that are vented outside. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to use these appliances. Gas cooking stoves: Never use these to keep you warm or heat your house. If you have an exhaust fan, use it when you cook. Unvented kerosene or gas space heaters: Use the proper fuel and keep the heater adjusted the right way. Open a window slightly or use an exhaust fan. Wood stoves: Make sure the doors are tight fitting. Follow the maker's instructions for starting, burning, and putting out the fire. Fireplaces: Always open the flue.

Chemical Irritants

Chemical irritants found in some products in your house, such as scented or unscented products, including cleaners, paints, adhesives, pesticides, cosmetics, or air fresheners, may make your child's asthma worse. Remedy: Use these products less often and make sure your child is not around when you use the products. Also, consider trying different products. Take great care to follow the instructions on the label. If you use these products, try to make sure that windows or doors are open and that you use an exhaust fan.

Poison Prevention

For the past 45 years, National Poison Prevention Week (held in March) has worked to educate and inform consumers of the dangers of unintentional poisonings. These efforts have contributed to a significant decline in injuries and deaths. But according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are still about 30 children younger than five years old who die from unintentional poisonings each year. Most of these poisonings are from products commonly found in the home. About 85,000 young children visit U.S. hospital emergency rooms due to unintentional poisonings.

"Back in the 1960s, the number of deaths each year from unintentional poisoning was 15 times greater than it is today," said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. "Now there are literally thousands of young people alive today who would have died without child-resistant packaging and other measures that protect children from poisoning hazards."

To further reduce the number of unintentional poisoning deaths and injuries, CPSC recommends that the entire family do its part. Parents should keep items in their original containers and leave the original labels on the products and read the labels before use. Grandparents should use child-resistant packaging and keep all household products and medicines locked up, out of sight, and out of reach of young children. Older children should be aware of the dangers associated with poisonings and help their parents keep younger siblings in sight; this means taking them along when answering the phone or doorbell.

In addition to the above poison prevention tips, parents and caregivers should follow the below safety tips to reduce the risk of unintentional poisonings.

• Use child-resistant packaging properly by closing the container securely after each use or, if available, choose child-resistant unit packaging, which does not need to be re-secured.
• Call (800) 222-1222 immediately in case of poisoning.
• Do not put decorative lamps and candles that contain lamp oil where children can reach them. Lamp oil can be very toxic if ingested by young children.
• Always turn the light on when giving or taking medicine so you can see what you are taking. Check the dosage every time.
• Avoid taking medicine in front of children.

For more information visit: www.poisonprevention.org or www.aapcc.org

Healthy Colorado Homes

Last year saw many productive outcomes at the county level in terms of indoor air quality, and in particular radon education. The work team is funded is funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Colorado State University Extension. Activities included:

• Conducted workshops on a variety of housing issues, including healthy homes, mold, and radon.
• Led public meetings on indoor air quality issues.
• Delivered an indoor air quality program to mothers.
• Presented radon education programs to county employees.
• Conducted a class on radon for real estate agents.
• Answered phone calls on healthy homes and indoor air quality questions.
• Worked directly with residents to assist with the identification and removal of mold.
• Worked directly with residents to assist with radon mitigation.
• Provided radon resistant construction information to local contractors and residents.
• Created and used radon display boards at county fairs, air quality seminars, builder's conferences, and senior centers.
• Distributed free radon test kits individually and in public settings such as a strong women group.
• Published columns and press releases in local papers related to the topic of healthy housing.
• Utilized radio as a source of dissemination on indoor air quality.
• Presented a radon lunch-n-learn

Survey From the Soap and Detergent Association

A recent National Cleaning Survey, conducted on behalf of The Soap and Detergent Association by International Communications Research, reveals some interesting findings. Among the 1,008 American adults who were surveyed, a full 90% believed that handwashing can help reduce the spread of a viral flu pandemic, and 87% believed hand hygiene can be helpful in preventing the spread of a viral disease outbreak such as the avian flu. Seventy-four percent were concerned about ensuring good hand hygiene practices in schools. Separately, 84% said they were concerned about ensuring good hand hygiene practices for themselves and their family members at home.

However, there seems to be a disconnect between what Americans say and what they do. While many viral infections such as colds, flu, and gastrointestinal infections are spread through person-to-person contact, or contact with contaminated surfaces, this same survey found that 36% of Americans seldom or never washed their hands after sneezing. Clearly, observes Nancy Bock, Vice President of Education at The Soap and Detergent Association, there is a need to put awareness into action.

Action Alert

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), good hygiene is critical in preventing Staph or skin infections. Keeping hands clean and surfaces disinfected will also help control the spread of flu, colds, and other commonly transmitted diseases. Here are a few good hygiene habits to practice:

• Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water, or by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
• Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages.
• Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.
• Clean surfaces daily with an EPA-registered disinfectant according to the manufacturer's directions. Look for the EPA registration number on the product label. Or, use a solution of one tablespoon of bleach mixed in one quart of water to disinfect all nondisposable items and surfaces that may have come in contact with the infected area, wound drainage, or soiled supplies.
• Wash soiled linens and clothes with hot water and laundry detergent. Dry them in a hot dryer if possible.
• Wash utensils and dishes in the dishwasher with dishwasher detergent, or by hand using hand dishwashing detergent and hot water.

For more information visit: www.cleaning101.com

Mortgage Quiz

Which of the following mortgage products makes sense for cash-strapped first-time buyers?

• The "balloon mortgage," in which the borrower pays only interest for 10 years before a big lump-sum payment is due.
• The "liar loan," in which the borrower is asked merely to state his annual income, without presenting any documentation.
• The "option ARM loan," in which the borrower can pay less than the agreed upon interest and principal amount, simply by adding to the outstanding balance of the loan.
• The "piggyback loan," in which a combination of a first and second mortgage eliminates the need for a downpayment.
• The "teaser loan," which qualifies a borrower for a loan based on an artificially low initial interest rate, even though she does not have sufficient income to make the monthly payments when the interest rate is reset in two years.
• The "stretch loan," in which the borrower has to commit more than 50% of gross income to make the monthly payments.
• All of the above.

All of these options actually exist. One lender has what is dubbed its "NINJA loan" - NINJA stands for "No Income, No Job, and No Assets." These products are part of the reason homeownership has increased from 65% of households to 69%, and why outstanding mortgage debt has increased by $9.5 trillion in the past four years. They are also a major reason why 1.5 million Americans may lose their homes to foreclosure. The need for pre-purchase homeownership education and counseling has never been greater. (Source: The Washington Post, March 14, 2007.)

David O'Brien, New Mexico State University, has developed an online home buyer education program. The site is www.nmhomeofmyown.com/welcome.html It includes information on home safety, conservation, and environmental and accessible design in the "Maintaining the Home" module.

Resources

Children's Environmental Health - 2006 Report
This 20-page annual report highlights the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to improve the environments where children live, learn, and play. The report discusses recent projects to improve school environments, address indoor and outdoor air quality, and reduce exposures to chemicals and pesticides. The report also highlights research, regulatory and data development work, as well as efforts to protect children from over response to the sun, to train healthcare providers, and to provide international leadership.

The report (Pub. No. EPA 100-F-06-011) is available from the Child and Aging Healthy Protection Division at EPA. Visit www.epa.gov/children for more information.

AHAM Reprints
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) has reprinted three of their most popular free-of-charge safety brochures, "Helpful Hints for Using Your Clothes Dryer Safely and Effectively," "Recipe for Safe Cooking," and "10 Tips for Use and Care of Your Portable Air Heater." Brochures are available at no cost; however, if you would like more than 250 total brochures, you must pay shipping charges. Order these brochures online at www.aham.org/firesafety

Hiring a Mold Remediation Contractor
Cornell University's College of Human Ecology and Louisiana State University's AgCenter have produced a brochure entitled, "Hiring a Mold Remediation Contractor." The brochure provides information on where to locate a licensed mold remediation contractor, the points that should be included in a contract with a mold remediator, the methods and techniques used by remediation professionals to remove mold, and a list of the recommended steps for mold cleanup in flooded homes. Contact Joseph Laquatra or Claudette Reichel at JL27@cornell.edu or creichel@agctr.lsu.edu, respectively, for a copy of this brochure.

Preparing for Disaster
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross have published two booklets, "Preparing for Disaster" and "Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and Other Special Needs," that advise how to plan for a disaster and what to include in a disaster supplies kit. Both brochures offer a useful action checklist of items to do before a disaster. These publications are available by calling FEMA at 800-480-2520 or writing: FEMA, PO Box 2012, Jessup, MD 20794-2012. The information in these booklets is also available online at www.fema.gov and www.redcross.org

Consumer Handbook on ARMs
A booklet explaining adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs), which must be given to all ARM applicants, has been revised for the first time since 1987. The new information is free from Publications, Mail Stop 127, Federal Reserve Board, 20th and C Streets, NW, Washington, DC 20551, or 202-452-3245.

Materials from the Home Safety Council

Did you know that home injuries cause more than 21 million medical visits and 20,000 deaths each year? These injuries also cost American businesses nearly $38 billion per year, or $104 million per day, due to increased healthcare costs, disability, absenteeism, and a decrease in employee productivity.

The Home Safety Council (HSC) is working to reduce this alarming toll. Please join them in their annual Hands on Home Safety campaign in June by encouraging families to take some simple hands-on steps to create a safer home environment.

HSC has resources and materials available. Visit the Home Safety Council Web site to order the "Hands on Home Safety" booklet (www.homesafetycouncil.org/index.aspxto). There are also posters, classroom materials, and other resources.

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Any comments, needs, ideas or suggestions can be sent to:

Kenneth R. Tremblay, Jr.
Housing Specialist and Professor
Department of Design and Merchandising
155 Aylesworth
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
(970) 491-5575
Fax: (970) 491-4855
tremblay@cahs.colostate.edu

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