U.S. Department of Housing and 

P.Urban Development

O. Box 23268

Washington, DC 20026-3268POfficial Business

enalty for Private Use $300

Return Service Requested

First-Class Mail

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

HUD

Permit No. G–795

HealthyHomes

HUD
Asthma attacks can be triggered by allergens in the home, including mold, dust mites,

rodents, excess dust, and second-hand smoke.

To help reduce asthma and allergy symptoms:

■ Achieve good indoor air quality. Maintain a well ventilated home, free of of pollutants

such as tobacco smoke and carbon monoxide. 

■ Use dust mite mattress and pillow covers. Wash bedding in hot water, greater

than 130F, every week to kill dust mites.

■ Eliminate cockroaches and pests. Use gel baits, seal cracks, and eliminate sources of food

and water. Thoroughly clean the home to eliminate roach dust.

Mold and moisture increase allergen substances that can trigger illness and asthma

and cause building deterioration. Mold may be present in places where excess 

moisture or water damage has occurred. 

To prevent mold and moisture hazards in the home:

■ Vent clothes dryers and exhaust fans to the exterior. Be sure not to vent dryers

or fans into crawl spaces or attics.

■ Repair water leaks. Immediately fix plumbing leaks and leaks that allow rainwater into 

the home.

■ Replace water-damaged materials. Replace materials when surfaces have been 

wet for more than 48 hours. Remove stored materials, such as cardboard boxes, in damp 

basements.

■ Insulate cold water pipes. Uninsulated pipes cause condensation and excess moisture.

■ Routinely check and clean gutters so runoff is diverted from the foundation.

Unintentional injuries from falls, poisoning, choking, and suffocation, are the number

one killer of children in America. Many of these injuries can be prevented with 

low-cost measures and proper education. 

Take the following steps to help increase home safety:

■ Install and routinely test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide

alarms. Also, never use the kitchen stove or oven to heat your home. Always turn on the kitchen

exhaust fan when cooking. 

■ Eliminate tripping hazards. Pick up hazards such as toys or shoes. Repair cracked or worn

stairs. Use non-skid mats and throw rugs.

■ Poison-proof your home or property. If children are present, install safety latches 

on all cabinets and drawers that contain harmful products. Keep medicines in a locked cabinet 

out of children’s reach, and properly dispose of expired medicines or when they are no longer needed.

■ Keep firearms in locked cabinets and use trigger locks.

In many homes built before 1978, deteriorating lead paint causes lead hazards in dust and soil.

Young children, pregnant women, and pets can ingest this dust and soil and become poisoned. 

To prevent lead poisoning in children that live in homes built before 1978:

■ Repair peeling and deteriorating paint. Always use lead-safe work practices when disturbing

paint that may contain lead. To find a qualified lead service provider please visit www.leadlisting.org. 

To find out about lead-safe work practices please visit www.hud.gov/offices/lead. 

■ Keep children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, pets, and others not

working on the jobs away from renovation or remolding work areas. Young

children and pregnant women could be exposed to high levels of lead dust while repairs are under way.

■ Reduce lead risks by teaching children to wash their hands often and

to put only food in their mouths.

■ Prevent dust from spreading. Clean hard surfaces in your home with a wet mop or rag. 

Use a HEPA (high efficiency) vacuum when cleaning carpets. Household vacuums may scatter the leadcontaminated dust throughout your home.

Children spend most of their time indoors. For their size, children breathe up to twice

as much air as adults. That means children are at greater risk for health problems that

come from indoor air pollution. 

To prevent poor indoor air quality in homes: 

■ Service gas and oil appliances regularly. Avoid inefficient burning of gas and oil that

can contaminate the air.

■ Store solvent chemicals away from the home. Properly dispose of solvent chemicals

you don’t need. Open windows or use fans to let in fresh air whenever someone uses solvent chemicals

in the home or garage.

■ Air-out new carpets and furniture. Let new carpets, furniture, and building materials air

out at least a day before bringing it to your home. If possible, open windows for several days after

installing carpet.

■ Avoid smoking in your home or car and never smoke near children.

To find out how you can get involved with the Healthy Homes Program or 

to read more about the program’s benefits please visit the Web site at 

www.hud.gov/healthyhomes.

Additional Resources

CDC National Center for Environmental Health–www.cdc.gov/nceh/

EPA Indoor Air Quality–www.epa.gov/iaq/

EPA Office of Children's Health Protection–www.epa.gov/children/

USDA - HUD Healthy Home Partnership–www.uwex.edu/healthyhome/

National Institute for Standards and Technology’s Building 

and Fire Research Laboratory–www.nist.gov/

Making Your Home a Healthier and Safer Place to Live.

Lead Hazards

Indoor Air Quality

Home Safety and Unintentional Injuries

Asthma and Allergies

Mold and Moisture Control