As moms, especially new moms, we are always thinking of our child’s safety. We make sure the car seat is installed correctly. Ensure their food is cut into small enough pieces so as to avoid choking. We take their temperature the first sign of fever, and so on.
Sometimes things develop in the home that we may not readily think about being a danger to our families. One such danger that hits close to home *no pun intended* for me this week is mold.
Mold thrives in damp environments. Anytime there is a water leak or poor air circulation, mold will grow. A couple weeks ago, while my husband replaced the floor of our bathroom, he discovered harmful mold spores in the floorboards and three feet up the drywall. He decided to take a closer look at other places in the home and unfortunately discovered the same problem. Mold, mold, mold. Being renters and not homeowners, we had no choice but to vacate. (You can imagine how fun my week has been.)
I decided to take a look at some of the dangers of living in a moldy environment. Here’s a list of some of the milder effects that most people will experience.
- Nasal and sinus congestion
- Runny Nose
- Wheezing and difficulty breathing
- Chest tightness
- Cough
- Throat irritation
- Sneezing
I had every single one! These symptoms my seem mild but with prolonged exposure, they can increase dramatically. Especially is this a concern if you have underlying conditions such as asthma. Depending on the type of mold, it could even produce mycotoxins that can cause more severe, dangerous disorders. Scary business in my opinion!
So while you baby proof the medicine cabinet and put safety locks on your door handles, you might want to check around your home for signs of mold. You never know what potentially harmful outcome you could protect your family from. Better safe than moldy!
Modern Mommie 