Homer's Housing Market Advice

How to Protect Your Family from Asbestos in the Home

Asbestos, as explained by Asbestos Alert, was a popular building material in the latter half of the twentieth century, used everywhere from loft insulation to floor tiles due to its fire-resistant properties. It is therefore contained in many old homes, schools, and workplaces, and when disturbed, releases fibres that can lead to serious health consequences. However, there are several things you can do to protect your family from asbestos exposure, as explained below. 

Make Sure You Don't Bring Asbestos Home

People who work in certain industries, such as construction or the emergency services, have a higher than average chance of being exposed to asbestos at work. This can have a devastating effect on their health, and also on the health of their friends and family if fibres are brought home. HSEWise explains that protective clothing should always be removed at work and left there, as fibres can easily cling to it - and additionally, it is always a good idea to wash your safety gear at work rather than mixing them with the family laundry. Find out what precautions your workplace offers to protect your family from asbestos exposure, and take full advantage of them. 

Call in the Professionals

If you are worried about the presence of asbestos in your home, the best thing you can do is call in a professional asbestos firm to set your mind at rest. There are many asbestos services that you can purchase, but you should start with an asbestos inspection. Bergman Legal seconds this suggestion, explaining that an asbestos inspection will involve looking at every part of your home, from the insulation to the floor tiles to the wallpaper, and letting you know if asbestos is present. If there is asbestos in your home, you will need to call in an asbestos services firm whenever you want to undertake construction work, or if you want asbestos to be removed.

Take Care Around Asbestos in the Home

If you have been told that your home contains asbestos, it's natural to be worried. However, asbestos is generally only dangerous when disturbed, and there are certain steps you can take to reduce the risk to you and your family. The EPA has some suggestions for homeowners with asbestos, such as keeping activities in affected rooms to a minimum, as well as avoiding sanding, drilling, or otherwise disturbing material made of asbestos. You may also want to avoid using abrasive cleaners in these areas, especially on walls and floors that contain asbestos. 

While the health consequences associated with asbestos can be worrying, there are many things you can do to be aware of your risks and to reduce the chance of damage to your family. Your first step should be to speak to a qualified professional about the range of asbestos services they can offer.


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