Do you have a persistent cough, scratchy throat, red eyes, skin rash, headaches, emotional changes, aches, or other unexplained symptoms? If so, it could be your house that is making you sick. Common health hazards in homes can make you and your family sick. You might be aware of some of the home health hazards, but according to Los Angeles injury law firm Pollard | Bailey here are a few things in your home that is making you sick may surprise you.

Do you have a persistent cough, scratchy throat, red eyes, skin rash, headaches, emotional changes, aches, or other unexplained symptoms? If so, it could be your house that is making you sick.

Ten Common Health Hazards in Your Home

Items 1 through 4 — Kitchen Items

Your kitchen can be a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and other germs that can cause food poisoning and other illnesses. Some overlooked items in the kitchen that are potential health hazards include kitchen sponges, can openers, refrigerator compartments (i.e. meat, vegetable, and fruit drawers), and dishwashers (yes, dishwashers). These items can be a host to countless bacterial and fungal hazards such as E. coli, salmonella, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Escherichia, and listeria.

Remember, when cleaning and sanitizing your kitchen, you need to include all surfaces, utensils, appliance, and other items that come in contact with food, even the slightest contact.

5. Radon Gas

Radon gas is an odorless, tasteless, colorless cans that can make you very sick. In high concentrations, radon gas can be lethal. Radon releases particles that you and your family can inhale, causing a variety of health issues. Because you cannot detect it without the proper equipment, your family could be at risk. Investing in a radon gas detector for your home is a simple way to ensure you are not at risk from this home health hazard.

6. Pest Infestation

A pest infestation can take many forms. You could have ants, rodents, roaches, bed bugs, squirrels, or fleas. There are so many different types of pests that can infect a home. Some pests are quickly noticeable, while others may be harder to detect. You might see subtle signs, including droppings, odd odors, foul smells, or holes in your home.

You can use sprays, traps, and other pest products from your local retailer to try to prevent and treat a pest infestation. If you continue to notice signs of a pest infestation, call a professional immediately. Pests carry a variety of dangerous diseases, some of which you do not need to come into direct contact with the animal to catch.

Items 7 through 9 — Bathroom Items

Just like your kitchen, there are some items in your bathroom that you would never think could make you sick. For instance, your shower head could have a buildup of several different harmful bacteria, including Nontuberculous Mycobacteria, which causes lung infections, and Legionella (yes, Legionnaire’s disease).

Bathmats are another highly contaminated item in the bathroom that can make you sick if you do not clean it regularly. These mats should be washed and dried each week completely to avoid building up a hotbed of harmful bacteria. While you are washing things, do not forget your makeup brushes. Makeup brushes have been found to contain bacteria that can cause serious infections.

10. Vacuum Cleaners

The appliance you use to clean your home could be making you sick. A study found that some bacteria can remain alive in vacuum cleaners for months and even develop antibiotic-resistant properties while resting in your cleaner. Using HEPA filters and cleaning your vacuum after every use can help reduce the health hazard.

There are Many Other Home Health Hazards

The above list is common health hazards that many people overlook. However, it is a good idea to run down some of the most obvious home health hazards to remind everyone we all need to take time to make our home safe and healthy for ourselves and our families.

Other common potential health hazards in your home include:

Water problems, such as leaky pipes and moisture problems, that can cause mold and other harmful substances to grow
Poor ventilation issues, including malfunctioning heating and cooling systems, that create poor air quality
Air vents that have never been cleaned or cleaned only rarely
Door handles hold a variety of germs that can make you sick
Lead paint in older homes or from the use of old windows and doors
Wall-to-wall carpet can be difficult to keep clean and free from certain substances
Electronics that are not cleaned regularly can carry germs ranging from E. coli to staphylococcus