If you’re juggling a full schedule with your career, schooling and family commitments, housecleaning can fall to the bottom of your priority list. However, keeping a less-than-neat home can actually be dangerous to you and your family. Here are four reasons you should either make cleaning a priority or hire someone to help you.
Fire Hazard and Entrapment Risk
Piles of clutter can conceal fire risks such as frayed cords while also blocking escape routes. Keep cords and electrical outlets tidy and inspect them frequently for malfunctions. Move boxes, furniture and other items from in front of exits, especially large windows. In case of fire, you want your family to be able to escape quickly.
Food Contamination
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that one in six people get sick and over three thousand people die every year from food borne illnesses like ptomaine and salmonella. To combat this, wipe down your kitchen, door handles, knives and appliances with antibacterial solution. Wash your hands frequently and don’t allow leftovers to sit at room temperature for prolonged periods.
Pest Infestation
Clutter and trash attracts pests such as rodents, roaches, bed bugs and spiders. If you have an active infestation, enlist a pest control servicer in Glenview or an exterminator in your specific area to assist you. If you haven’t seen any unwelcome guests, keeping a clean house is imperative to avoiding infestation in the future. Remove trash promptly and keep it away from the house. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the perimeter of your home and block up any holes pests could use to gain access. If you have moisture in the basement, consider a dehumidifier to make the space unattractive to bugs.
Person-to-Person Disease Transmission
The flu, diarrhea, coughs, stomach flu, respiratory infections and skin irritations can often be transmitted from person to person within the household. To avoid this, make a habit of cleaning the bathroom at regular intervals and encouraging hand-washing. You will also want to scrub down door handles, knobs and other frequently touched items in the house like remote controls or the touchpad on the microwave. This will help cut down on disease transmission and keep everyone in the home healthier.
Keeping a tidy, clean home is about more than just impressing guests. Cleanliness helps ensure the health and safety of everyone in the household. If you simply don’t have time for cleaning, hire a maid service to handle these crucial sanitation and safety chores on your behalf.