Mold is a big problem, especially if you live anywhere that experiences humidity in any form, as mold likes to grow in wet or damp places. Mold can have negative side effects on your health. One common mold is known as aspergillus. Most people are exposed to it, but if you have a strong immune system, you may not even realize you have been exposed to it. This type of mold, however, can get into the brain and cause seizures. Aspergillus can also cause meningitis and is marked by severe headaches, fever, and even muscular rigidity. Candida is another type of mold which can detrimentally impact your gastrointestinal system. Candida can also mutate and cause yeast infections in women. This mold is also known to cause thrush, a thick white coating of the mouth and throat. There are many simple ways to help ensure that you and your loved ones are not affected by dangerous mold spores.

1. The most simple tip for preventing mold in your home is to make sure you always take care of wet items, such as towels, cleaning rags, or clothes. Leaving these things in a heap creates an ideal breeding ground for mold.

2. Update your central air system to one that will also monitor the humidity in your home. The United States Environmental Protection Agency suggests a safe zone of between 30%-60% humidity in your house. Condensation is always a dead giveaway for a problem spot in your house. Clean up the moisture and determine its source.

3. Make sure your ventilation system is up to date to help prevent moisture. It’s important to have a well functioning fan in your bathroom, for example, to suck out that excess moisture from your shower. Kitchens, laundry rooms, and any other high-moisture areas, like unfinished basements, should also have good sources of ventilation to help reduce moisture.

4. Clean and disinfect surfaces in your home to help stop mold growth. Disinfectant will help to kill off any established mold, and properly drying surfaces in your home will go a long way to helping prevent future foothold situations.

5. Try a landscape makeover to help direct water away from your home. Help prevent the problem before it can even start. This can be particularly important if you live on some sort of flat surface, a slope aimed toward your house, or if you live in a gulley, or near any type of water source.

To protect your health and that of your loved ones, make sure you check over your home and take these simple steps to help prevent mold growth.