Keeping Home and Pets Safe During Monsoon Season

                                                     

We anxiously await the rain that our area so desperately needs, but as thankful as we may be for the
moisture, we quickly realize that there are concerns during this time of the year. Mold and
mildew can create health issues and the additional dirt, debris and germs that enter our homes
can cause us trouble down the line. Here are a few tips to help us a stay safe and healthy this
summer monsoon season.

Wash your hands regularly - Additional germs and allergens are growing during this time of the
year. We bring them in on our hands and feet and on our clothing. Don’t allow wet or damp
clothing to set in a hamper, wash and dry it immediately to avoid mildew and germs. Shoes are
bound to get wet. Clean footwear regularly and make sure shoes are completely dry before
wearing again. Use antibacterial foot powder.

Keep kitchens and bathrooms clean. Check in areas that sometimes don’t get cleaned every
time, like high corners above the shower, behind and under things, window tracks and sills.
These are all areas that can collect mildew, dirt and germs.

Keep windows closed when you leave the house. As you know, it may be sunny one minute
and a cloud burst the next. Water entering through an open window can damage sills, walls,
curtains, furniture and floors. Open windows again when you are home and it is not raining.
Your home needs as much fresh air ventilation as possible.

Make sure to use area rugs on the interior and exterior side of each door to the outside. Leave
soiled shoes in a shoe rack instead of walking around the house and spreading the dirt and
germs.

Remove any containers or buckets outside that may collect rainwater. Once the rain stops and
the sun comes out, that standing water is a place for mosquitos and other pests to gather and
breed. Keep pets clean and teach them to wipe their paws on the rug outside (yes, they can
learn that), or you can wipe their feet.

Keep furniture clean and dry and disinfect all hard surfaces often. Outside of appliances, walls,
fixtures, door handles, ceiling fans can all collect dirt and germs.

Make sure your pets are safe during the thunderstorms. Many normally well behaved pets
totally “lose it” during the storms and will dart out of the door, or over a fence. Some people
have had success with the “Thunder shirts” that can be purchased at most pet stores. If you
don’t have one of those, and your dog or cat is sensitive to the sounds of thunder, place a crate
with a comfortable blanket, one of your t-shirts and a toy inside, in an interior bathroom or closet
with a little radio or music playing. You can cover the crate with a sheet. The crate serves as a
“den” which is a natural comfort for most dogs and cats and is a safe place for them until the
storm subsides. Micro chip your pets so that if they do get separated from you, they will have a
better chance of returning home safely.

After the monsoon season, it is a perfect time to get windows, tracks and sills professionally
cleaned and carpeting and draperies professionally cleaned to prepare for the winter and to
avoid the continued growth of mold and mildew.

Have a great summer and be safe and healthy.