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To reduce potential toxins in your home:

• Clean with “Safer Choice” or non-toxic products.

• Dust using a damp rag.
• Use a wet mop to clean floors.
• Vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
• Open a window or use a fan to improve air circulation when you’re cleaning.
• Have and maintain a good ventilation system in your home.
• Wash your hands and your children’s hands often.

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To reduce allergies:

• Avoid outdoor allergens whenever possible. If pollen counts are high, stay inside with the windows closed and use the air conditioning.
• Avoid bringing pollen indoors. If you go outside, wash your hair and clothing when you come inside. Pets can also bring in pollen, so clean them too.
• Reduce indoor allergens. Keep humidity levels low in the home to keep dust mites and mold under control.
• Avoid upholstered furniture and carpets because they harbor allergens.
• Wash your bedding in hot water once a week.
• Vacuum the floors once a week.
• Talk with your doctor about medications and allergy shots.

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To create healthy summer habits:

• Do outdoor activities during the coolest part of the day, in the early morning or evening.
• Wear protective clothing, such as hats, long-sleeve shirts, and long pants or skirts to block out the sun’s harmful rays.
• Use sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, preferably 30. Reapply frequently.
• Use sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB.
• Try to stay in the shade when outdoors during peak sunlight.
• Exercise in an air-conditioned space if possible. Or do water workouts.
• Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. Avoid drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine.

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To guard against the cold:

• At home, wear socks, slippers, and a hat. Or stay covered up with a blanket.
• Keep your heat set to at least 68°F or higher during cold weather. If you need help paying your heating bills, see if you qualify for the .
• Wear a windproof and water-proof jacket if you’re heading into cold, rainy, windy, or snowy conditions. Dress in layers.
• If someone is showing signs of hypothermia, act fast. Get them out of the cold and into a warm room. Remove any wet clothing. Warm them up gradually. Cover them with warm blankets. Offer them warm drinks, but not alcohol. Avoid hot baths or heating pads. And take their temperature. If it’s below 95°F, get medical help immediately.

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To reduce the effects of poor quality air on your health:

• Avoid outdoor activities in the afternoons on warmer days, when the risk of air pollution is highest.
• Avoid strenuous outdoor activities if the air is polluted.
  Check your region’s air quality index at . Orange and red mean it’s a bad air day, so people with lung problems should avoid the outdoors. Purple and maroon mean air pollution is extreme, and everyone should try to stay inside in an environment with clean air.
• Reduce pollutants in your home. Don’t let anyone smoke in your home. Avoid burning candles, incense, or wood fires. Run fans or open a window when cooking. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter instead of sweeping to avoid stirring up dust and allergens.

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To stay safer while playing in the water:

• Shower before and after swimming.
• Try not to swallow the water.
• Never go to the bathroom in the water. Take kids for bathroom breaks and check diapers every hour. Change diapers away from the water.
• Stay out of the water if you’ve had diarrhea recently to help protect others from infectious germs.
• Always wash your hands before you eat or drink.
• Cover open wounds with waterproof bandages.
• Don’t swim in water that looks murky or has an odor.
• Stay out of the ocean for at least 24 hours after a storm. Avoid places where storm water is released on the beach.
• Check for warning signs posted around the area. Ask lifeguards about the water conditions.
• Check local alert systems. Visit the for information on U.S. beaches.

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To reduce health hazards in your home:

• If your home was built before 1978, test exposed paint for lead. You can buy test kits yourself or hire a professional. Some city health departments provide free test kits.
• Have children tested for lead exposure regularly, from at least birth through age six.
• Use vent fans in rooms that have lots of moisture, like the bathroom, to prevent mold growth.
• If you have a leak or flood in your home, quickly dispose of damaged items.
• Clean small areas of mold on walls or fabric with hot, soapy water. Be sure to wear a mask, gloves, and goggles while cleaning.
• Test your home for radon. Some local, county, or state programs offer free test kits. You can contact the National Radon Program Services at 1-800-SOS-RADON (1-800-767-7236).

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