Healthy Homes
We spend a lot of time in and around our homes. Our homes provide us with shelter and security, but a home that is poorly constructed or poorly maintained can create an environment that is unsafe or unhealthy for residents. The links on this page can help you learn more about your home environment and how you can prevent or get rid of some common health and safety hazards.
Seven Principles of Healthy Homes
What can you do to create a healthy home environment? Follow these Seven Principles of Healthy Homes or use the other links on this page to learn about specific issues:
- Keep it dry
- Keep it clean
- Keep it well-ventilated
- Keep it pest-free
- Keep it contaminant-free
- Keep it safe
- Keep it well-maintained
Common Housing Hazards and Conditions
These are some common hazards or conditions you may find in your home. To learn more about your home environment and for information about how to minimize these common hazards, select the topics below.
- Carbon monoxide
- Cleaning and clutter
- Drinking Water
- Emergencies and Disasters
- Fire safety
- Food safety
- Hazardous chemicals
- Indoor air quality
- Injury prevention
- Lead poisoning prevention
- Mold and moisture
- Pest control (e.g., mice, rats, cockroaches, bedbugs, mosquitoes)
- Poisoning
- Radon
- Seven Principles of Healthy Homes
- Tobacco control and secondhand smoke
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Programs and Activities in the State Health Department
Many different agencies and community organizations operate programs aimed at monitoring and reducing the burden of housing-related illness and injury in New York State, including these programs that are overseen by the New York State Department of Health:
Additional Resources and Contact Information
(Note: Resources for specific topics may be found by clicking on the topic area in the list above)
- New York State Department of Health, Healthy Homes Contact Information
- US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Air Quality in Homes
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Healthy Homes
- National Center for Healthy Housing
Selected Publications
View all of our home safety publications available for order.
- Safe Cleaning
- Home Safe Home
- Seven Best Kid-Friendly Practices
- Don't Be Left in the Dark
- Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults
- Controlling the Rat: A Community Effort
- Mouse Control
- Bedbugs – What They Are and How to Control Them
- Landlord and Tenant Guide to Pest Management
- Reducing Pesticide Exposure
- Get Rid of Cockroaches
- Healthy Gardening: Tips for New and Experienced Gardeners
- Have Asthma? Take a Look Around You
- What You Need to Know about Carbon Monoxide
- Carbon Monoxide: Know the Hazards
- The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality
- Fact Sheets on Protection of Water Wells
- Septic Systems - Operation and Maintenance
- Mold Fact Sheet
- Lead Poisoning is a Danger for Every Baby and Child. Here's What You Should Know
- Get the Lead Out of Drinking Water
- Aware Prepare - Natural Disasters. Accidents. Epidemics. Terrorism.
- Barbecue Food Safety Tips
- Protect Your Family From Radon: A Guide for New York State Residents
- Toxic Substances
- Exposure, What is it?
- A Guide to the New York State Clean Indoor Air Act
- New York State Smokers' Quitline
- Home Fire Safety Tips
- Volatile Organic Compounds in Commonly Used Products
