Canadians spend a great deal of time indoors, so it's important to ensure that our homes are safe and healthy places to live. This section includes information on some of the more common health risks that may be present in your home environment and their potential health impacts. It also includes simple steps that you can take to reduce exposure to these hazards.

Home health risks come in many shapes and forms. They can be present in the air, water, soil, or in your home. They can be inhaled or ingested or absorbed through the skin.

Some come directly from nature itself, such as radon gas, which can enter the home through the soil beneath the foundation. Other risks come from substances such as lead or from household products.

Detecting hazards and adopting good environmental health habits for you and your family are easier than you think. The more you know about the health risks that may be present in your home, the better you can protect your health and the health of your family.

Health Canada has launched an environmental health guide to provide general advice to Canadians on simple actions that they can take to reduce exposure to a number of environmental health risks that may be present inside their homes. The guide is available on-line and in print format. Please visit www.HealthyCanadians.gc.ca/Hazardcheck for the on-line version of Hazardcheck and for information on how to order print copies of the guide.