Have you ever wondered why some children are often sick compared to others? Sometimes, this may be because of the homes they live in.

There is a direct link between children’s health and cold, damp and mouldy houses. Mould grows best in damp conditions and can cause respiratory disease in children. 

In a recent survey, over half of New Zealand’s homes had visible mould. Bearing in mind we spend over 75% of our time indoors, this can really impact our health and that of our children. 

Respiratory illness also leads to days off school, greatly impacting a child’s education. Recently the government released guidelines for rental home standards which include improvements to insulation, heating and ventilation. This is important because as housing becomes more unaffordable, many children will grow up in rental homes. 

Even with these improvements, there are easy ways to make a home healthy, simply by changing the way we live within a house: 

• Open windows in the house for a short time every day – even in winter (as if you have burnt the toast) 
• Keep lids on pots when cooking, use your range hood or open a window 
• When using the bathroom, keep the door closed. Use the heater and extractor fan and open the window after showering
• Open the curtains during the day and remove any condensation 
• Hang washing outside – drying a load inside can release up to 3 litres of moisture into the air 
• Use an electric heater or heat pump 
• Avoid portable gas heaters - they release dangerous pollutants and moisture as the gas burns 

For more advice, information and support contact Leanne Bayler at 021 196 6024 and visit these websites: 

• Community Energy Action – www.cea.co.nz
• EECA Energywise – www.energywise.govt.nz/at-home
• Homefit – www.homefit.org.nz
• Housing and Urban Development Authority Rental Home Standards – www.hud.govt.nz/assets/Residential-Housing/ Healthy-Rental-Homes/Healthy-Homes-Standards/ February-2019/Questions-and-answers-Healthy-homesstandards.pdf