### How to Prevent Mold and the Health Problems It Causes Mold in your home can be more than just an unsightly nuisance; it can also pose serious health risks. Mold can appear as black spots on shower curtains, white patches on basement floors, or orange film on kitchen drains. Mold exposure can irritate your eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs, even if you are not allergic to it. For those with mold allergies, symptoms can include sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rashes. In severe cases, it can cause shortness of breath and asthma attacks. Mold thrives in moist environments and can be found almost everywhere. It reproduces through tiny spores that travel through the air. While small amounts of mold spores are usually harmless, they can cause health problems when they land on damp spots in your home and start to grow. Common places for mold growth include bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, and crawl spaces. To prevent mold growth, it's crucial to reduce moisture in your home. Here are some tips: - **Around the house:** Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners to keep humidity levels low. Fix any leaks in roofs, walls, or plumbing immediately. - **In the kitchen:** Use exhaust fans to vent moisture outside. Clean and dry any spills promptly. - **In basements and crawl spaces:** Ensure proper ventilation and use a dehumidifier. Seal any cracks in the foundation to prevent water seepage. - **In the laundry room:** Make sure the dryer is vented to the outside. Avoid leaving wet clothes in the washing machine. - **In bathrooms:** Use exhaust fans during and after showers. Clean and dry surfaces regularly. If you already have mold in your home, it's important to clean it up and fix the moisture problem causing it. Otherwise, the mold will likely return. Remember, while it's impossible to eliminate all mold spores, controlling moisture is the key to preventing mold growth.