Keeping Healthy in Your Environment
As you have seen, there are things you can do to help stay healthy. For example:
- Stay away from people who are smoking cigarettes, to avoid breathing in secondhand smoke.
- Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen to protect your skin when spending time outdoors.
- If you live in an area with smog, do not play outdoors on days with high levels of air pollution.
- Wash your skin and clothing if they come in contact with pesticides.
Here are some other ways to protect your health:
- If your house has heaters or appliances that burn fuels such as natural gas, oil, coal, or wood, make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors.
- Do not pick at peeling paint or eat paint chips—some paints contain lead or other toxins.
- Wash your hands with soap (especially before eating).
- Vacuum, sweep, or mop regularly to reduce the amount of particles and pollutants (such as pollen and dust) in your house.
- If you find a hazard, such as spilled cleaning products or mold, don't touch it. Ask an adult for help.