You’re a Mom. And as such, your brain doesn’t function like the brain of a non-parent. Heck, it doesn’t even function like your own brain did before you became a mother. That’s because parenthood rewires your mind on a neurochemical level. Everything that seemed scary and intimidating to you before seems trivial when compared to the importance of the tiny life in your arms and the imperative of keeping them safe from harm. There’s nothing you wouldn’t do to keep your kids safe. You’d stare down anyone in a heartbeat to protect them. You’d lift a car to save them from getting under its wheels (not just an urban legend but a genuine phenomenon). You’d step in front of a loaded gun without hesitation for them. But the truth is that not all threats to your child’s health and wellbeing are out there in the big bad world. Some of them may be closer to home than you may think.
Here, we’ll look at some threats to your kids’ health that are actually in the home. No matter how beautiful, cosy and squeaky clean you keep it…
Kitchen-based nasties
As a responsible Mom, you understand the importance of a healthy diet. Which is why you strive, despite your buddy schedule, to cook freshly made nutritious meals for your little ones. But have a care when you’re cooking, and beware the hidden dangers that could lurk in your food;
- Campylobacter- This is the most common form of food poisoning in the US and can meat and produce that is improperly cooked or washed. Make sure you thoroughly wash fruit and vegetables, and ensure that meat and eggs are thoroughly cooked before serving.
- Listeria- Listeria is a bacterium that can be found in all kinds of food, mainly unpasteurized dairy, shellfish and meat. However, it can also be found occasionally in raw vegetables and fruits.
- Salmonella- Another bacteria that can be found in raw meats and eggs. Salmonella can be killed by thorough cooking as well as proper refrigeration and surface sanitization.
Sickly air
No matter how hard you work to keep your home clean, the air your kids breathe could be damaging their health. The spores caused by molds in the bathroom, bacteria, dust, dirt and pet dander, not to mention droplet-borne infections like legionella. All of these harmful substances could be swirling around in the air if your HVAC unit isn’t serviced regularly. Clean Air requires a well maintained AC unit. However, if you want a more natural way to purify your air, you may be surprised at how effective the right houseplants can be. It’s also important to remember that harmful compounds like carbon monoxide can be formed wherever anything burns. Try and keep windows open when cooking and make sure your home has a carbon monoxide detector.
EMF and blue light
Finally, most kids today have access to at least one or two electronic devices. And while these are absolutely fine in moderation, over-reliance on them can lead to a range of potential health issues caused by the ElectroMagnetic Frequency (EMF) and blue light that they emit. These can lead to all kinds of health issues from sleep deprivation to headaches and even an increased cancer risk. So make sure that your kids’ screen time is part of a balanced diet of activities!
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