Outside: Health24: Healthy home

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Outside

Many people do not give much attention to the cleanliness of the outside areas of their homes. But the dangers that lurk here could be a serious health risk. Bacteria and insects love outside drains, dustbins and compost heaps. But there are things you can do to stop your garden and yard from becoming a health risk.

Click on the item on the left to find out why this could be a problem area and what you could do to sort it out.

Compost heap - problems & solutions

Compost heaps consist of decomposing organic matter.The accompanying high temperatures and moist conditions add to the fact that these heaps are ideal breeding gounds for bacteria

Sandpits - problems & solutions

As animals often use sandpits as toilets, children can be infected with bacteria while playing.

Rusty tools - problems & solutions

Of the germs that can lurk in the rust on your garden tools, tetanus bacteria (Clostridium tetani) are by far the most significant.

Ambience - problems & solutions

The outside areas of your home can contribute much to or detract much from the general ambience of your home.

Drains - problems & solutions

Outside drains are commonly used to dispose of almost anything that doesn't fit through the holes in the kitchen sink: grease, pulped vegetables and fish oil, to name but a few.