Inclusive Community Ideas

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Which university apartment do you live in?*

I am already doing, or pledge to do, at least five of the following:

Reduce or eliminate contaminants in my apartment’s air to keep my family/roommates from getting sick.

Chemical-based household supplies and many cleaning products, air fresheners, and candles release harmful chemicals called volatile organic compounds into the air. These chemicals can irritate our eyes or throats, trigger asthma attacks or headaches and even, over time, cause cancer. For a quick read with good advice, check out USA Today’s ”5 Reasons to Use Safe, Natural Cleaning Products.”

Use green cleaning products. There are many plant-based alternatives that are less toxic. Because they’re generally multi-purpose, you won’t need as many different cleaners, which means you don’t need to spend more money. To find plant-based alternatives, check out EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning, which grades cleaners based on ingredients and health impacts.

Dispose of harmful, chemical-based products, such as certain aerosol sprays, hobby glues, and dry-cleaned clothing.

Eliminate air fresheners and candles, unless essential oils or made of natural ingredients such as beeswax or soy. Candles can release carcinogenic toxins, while air fresheners may smell nice, they release toxic chemicals. Both air fresheners and candles are particularly harmful to those who have asthma.

Run exhaust fan while showering and cooking. Kitchen fans remove gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, and bathroom fans remove water vapor, which can cause mold.

Periodically open windows. On calm days when the outside temperature is 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit, opening windows brings in fresh outdoor air without compromising energy savings.

Save the Poison Help number in your phone and post it visibly at home: 1-800-222-1222. Specialists at poison control centers provide free, confidential, expert medical advice 24 hours a day. They can answer questions about how to give or take medicine and help with poison emergencies.

If you have children:

Keep medicine up and away, out of reach and sight of children, even medicine you take every day. Kids are naturally curious and can easily get into things, like medicine, if they are kept in places within their reach. Put all medicines and vitamins at or above counter height where kids can’t reach or see them

Store household products safely to prevent poisoning. Young kids are often eye-level with items under the kitchen and bathroom sinks, so make sure household cleaning products and personal care products up and away, out of children’s reach and sight. Kids can get into things quickly, so remember not to leave products unattended while you are using them – even healthier cleaning options like hydrogen peroxide can be toxic if swallowed!

Keep my apartment clean to avoid triggering allergies, asthma, fatigue, and digestive issues.

Many of the things that cause poor air quality are odorless. Dust and dirt contribute to what is called particle pollution, which can trigger respiratory problems (including asthma flare-ups), fatigue and tiredness, and even digestive issues. Minimizing how much dirt you bring into your home and cleaning regularly can lessen particle pollution.

Vacuum and damp dust (with a microfiber cloth and water) weekly. You don’t even have to use a surface cleaning product!

Remove shoes at the entryway. Less dirt means cleaner air…and less time to vacuum or mop!

Keep food in airtight containers to keep my apartment pest-free.

No smoking or vaping of any kind indoors to protect indoor environment and air quality

Clean out expired food and sanitize the pantry and refrigerator consistently, this will help avoid mold and bacteria spreading between foods of different kinds.

Add mats to inside or outside the doors to collect allergens, bacteria, lawn/outside chemicals

Sanitize handheld devices often – phones, remotes, keyboards, tablets, kid’s toys

Educate my neighbors about how to keep their apartments healthy.

Share what you know about healthy homes and encourage your neighbors to follow your lead. Together, we can make our apartment community healthy and safe for everyone.

Ask 2 neighbors to make this pledge.

Engage my roommate(s) in implementing the actions I’ve pledged.

Interested in learning more about healthy homes? Check out the Green Home Guide’s ideas for basic, better, and best steps to healthy indoor air.

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