Organizing Your Home for health and wealth

1. Organizing Your Home for health and wealth Ken Tremblay Jacque Miller Elisa Shackelton Laura Au-Yeung Colorado State University Extension 2008

2. Health Risk for American Families The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported research results that show indoor air is two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Most people spend as much as 60% of their time inside their homes; air quality conditions in your house can affect attitudes and health. More information? www.epa.gov/iaq

3. We all want to feel safe and healthy in our home. • Accident prevention • Routine maintenance • Being prepared for emergencies

4. Importance of Household Record Keeping • Information is easily accessible • Store and keep track of important house documents, manuals, & warranties • Assist in working with professionals & tradesmen (tax consultant, real estate agent, plumber, electrician, etc) • Record facts about the property, the house structure, & its systems • Keep records & receipts of property improvements for tax purposes & resale • Update records of maintenance tasks & service history for this house

5. Provide peace of mind • Identify safety & health-related concerns & issues for indoor air testing and emergency action plan Having these records will make future maintenance & house projects much easier, save time, & save money. It is one of your greatest investments and investments and proper care contributes to family health and wealth.

6. House Records OrganizerWhat happens to this house ~ stays with this house • 3-inch, D-ring binder with 12 section tabs & plastic insert pockets • Acknowledgement and Copy right page • Purchasers of this publication may make unlimited copies of designated pages used for record keeping. No changes or additions may be made in the content before copying. This publication may not be copied or reprinted in its entirety for the purpose of resale or as a substitute for purchase. • Section tabs each with listing for suggested documents & warrantees to store • House Repair & Improvement Log for tracking job descriptions, contacts, & cost • House Item or Material Inventory for specific information for finishes, fixtures, & equipment

8. General House Information • Title certificate & legal description • New home warranty • Homeowners association • Property plan & house floor plans • Physical description (photos) • Insurance information • Inspection reports • Engineering reports • Zoning – land & mineral rights • Garage opener & key inventory

9. Indoor Air Quality & Testing • Asbestos-containing materials • Household hazardous materials • Molds & mildew observations • Radon test & reports • Lead-based paint test • Smoke & CO alarm systems • Pest control management • Termite/bug inspection reports • Hazardous substances • Inspection reports

10. Help Yourself to a Healthy Home Protect Your Children’s Health www.healthyhomespartnership.net

11. Property & Landscape • Landscape plan & drawings • Grass & maintenance records • Shrubs & trees – flowers & garden • Sprinkler – irrigation system • Fountain – waterfall – pond • Soil test & report • Water test & report • Driveway – walks – patio • Fence – stone walls • Yard equipment & maintenance • Weed management • Wildlife management

12. House Exterior • Exterior finishes (paint & stains) • Siding: aluminum, vinyl, brick • Foundation • Porch – deck – patio • Roof & gutter/downspouts • Chimney(s) • Doors • Windows – skylights • Garage/carport – attached sheds

13. House Interior • Wall treatments (coverings/paint) • Flooring • Light fixtures • Window treatments • Front door – special doorways • Tiles – mirrors – murals • Cabinets – built-in storage • Other surfaces

14. Climate Control • Central – room air conditioning • Heating system • Additional heat source • Fireplace(s) • Alternative energy (solar) • Ventilation (fans) • Thermostat • Insulation • Duct work

15. Plumbing Systems • Plumbing & pipe location • Connection to water •  Water heater • Plumbing fixtures • Laundry fixtures & drain • Water treatment system • Sewer – septic – wells • Spa – hot tub – pool

16. Electrical Systems • Sketches of electrical wiring • Incoming power sources • Panel box • Switches & outlets • Smoke & CO alarms (hard-wired)

17. Home Technology Systems • Cable – Satellite • Phone lines & jacks • PC networking & Internet • Intercom system • Home security system • Home entertainment system

18. Major Appliances • Major kitchen appliances • Garbage disposal • Washer & dryer • Whole house vacuum • Other built-ins (microwave)

19. Emergency Preparedness • Vital phone numbers • List of emergency supplies • Contents of safe • Record of escape routes • Fire extinguisher(s)

20. Creating a Program in Your Community • Identify committed partners • Agencies • Community-based organizations • Property owners • Contractors and trade people • Establish program objectives • Solicit input on issues of concern • Consider the interests and priorities of partners • Collect data to better determine community situation • Marketing • Funding • Evaluation

21. Habitat for Humanity Education Series Seminar One • Keep Household Clutter under Control • Safe and Healthy Household Cleaning Products • Household Maintenance • Why Organize Household Records/House Records Organizer Seminar Two • Home Fire Safety • Indoor Air Quality and Environmental Safety • Children and Home Safety Seminar Three • Emergency Preparedness • Being a Good Neighbor

22. Questions? Thank you! More information: Healthy Colorado Homes http://healthycoloradohomes.colostate.edu