Healthy Homes

image of key in door, family and houses on a street

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. Follow this advice to keep a healthy home and prevent common health and safety hazards. Residents of New York State can find Healthy Homes contact information here. New York City residents contact 3-1-1 for all housing questions.

Tips for Healthy Homes

    Keep your home dry.

    Damp and wet environments make it possible for dust mites, cockroaches, rodents, and molds to grow and thrive. Keep your home dry by fixing plumbing and structural leaks, improving drainage for rainwater, and opening windows or using an exhaust fan so steam doesn't build up in the bathroom or kitchen.

    Keep your home clean.

    Clean homes help reduce pest infestations and exposure to contaminants. Keep your home clean by trying to keep contaminants out by creating smooth and cleanable surfaces and reducing clutter. Use a damp mop or rag to clean and always follow label directions on cleaning products. Check out these tips for cleaning and reducing clutter.

    Keep your home pest-free.

    All pests, including cockroaches, mice and rats, need food, water and shelter to live. Keep your home pest-free by storing food (including pet food) in pest-resistant containers, fixing leaks, sealing cracks in floors, walls and ceilings, reducing the amount of clutter in your home, and storing garbage outside in a can with a lid.

    If pests are already a problem, use sticky-traps and baits in closed containers or try other types of non-chemical management. If you need to use a pesticide, follow these guidelines for how to choose, apply, store and dispose of pesticides safely.

    Keep your home lead free.

    There is no safe level of lead for children or adults. If you live in a home that was built before 1978, use lead-safe practices during renovation and remodeling activities. Take steps to reduce lead dust that can be brought into your home.

    Keep your home in good repair.

    Poorly maintained homes are at risk for pests, moisture, deteriorating lead paint, and other structural problems. Inspect, clean, and repair your home routinely and after a flood. Take care of minor repairs and problems before they become large repairs and problems.

    Protect yourself at home.

    Many injuries can occur in the home, including falls, fires, and poisonings. Children and older adults are often at highest risk. Prevent injuries at home by properly using, labeling, and storing all chemicals (including medicines and personal-care products), by securing loose rugs, removing hard and sharp surfaces from children's play areas, and installing smoke and carbo- monoxide detectors.

    Protect your indoor air.

    Reduce indoor air pollutants like pesticides, radon, volatile organic compounds, environmental tobacco smoke, and carbon-monoxide by following safe practices. Increase the supply of fresh air to reduce exposures to dangerous contaminants. Use exhaust fans and open windows, especially when you are cleaning, cooking, or using chemicals in your home. Follow all label instructions on products. Test your home for radon and install carbon-monoxide detectors.

    Protect your food and drinking water.

    Avoid getting sick from spoiled food or contaminated drinking water. Follow advice on how to keep hot foods hot, and cold foods cold. Protect your family from potentially contaminated drinking water. Pay attention to “DO NOT USE” notices if you are on public water and test your private well at least once a year. Maintain your septic system.

    Prepare for emergencies.

    Take steps to reduce our risk in any kind of emergency. Emergency preparedness plans can help you and your family stay safe during a bad storm, chemical spill, outbreak of flu, or an act of terrorism.

Healthy Neighborhoods Program

The Healthy Neighborhoods Program (HNP) seeks to reduce the burden of housing related illness and injury through a holistic, healthy homes approach. The program provides in-home assessments and interventions to reduce negative health outcomes from asthma, indoor air quality, childhood lead poisoning prevention, and injury prevention.

Public Housing Authority Information

For more information on your local public housing authority, visit this site.

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program enables the lowest income households in New York State to rent or purchase decent, safe housing in the private housing market by providing rental and homeownership assistance. The program also provides assistance to senior citizens and disabled persons on fixed incomes, displaced families, and homeless individuals with disabilities.

Local Code Enforcement Information

Contact your local code enforcement office about issues with:

  • Accessibility
  • Improper trash/waste management, hoarding
  • Pests, rodents, and bedbugs
  • Landlord complaints
  • Mold
  • Outdoor burning

You can get contact information for your Local Code Enforcement office on your municipality’s (e.g. own, village, or city) website. For all other issues contact your Local Health Department

Additional Resources

View all of our home safety publications available for order.