Health Tip: Keep Mold Out of Your Home

ByABC News
September 7, 2009, 2:18 PM

Sept. 8 -- (HealthDay News) -- Mold exposure can lead to respiratory, eye and skin irritation, or much more serious reactions.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these suggestions to minimize mold growth in your home:

  • Make sure indoor humidity levels are kept between 40 percent and 60 percent.
  • During very humid weather, run the air conditioner, a dehumidifier or both.
  • Ensure that your home is well-ventilated, including exhaust fans where needed.
  • Before painting a room, add a mold-inhibiting agent to the paint.
  • Scrub bathrooms regularly with cleaning products designed to kill mold.
  • Avoid carpet in moist areas, such as in bathrooms and the basement.
  • Promptly get rid of any carpets or upholstered items that have been soaked.