Modem houses are so well sealed that they may keep pollutants trapped inside. Radon gas, formaldehyde, tobacco smoke, bacteria, fungi, pollen and combustion by-products such as soot and carbon monoxide can cause illness - even death - if they are present in high concentrations. The danger is greatly reduced or eliminated with good ventilation (which older, leakier houses encourage naturally).
Install a small exhaust fan over a gas oven. Kitchen, bath, laundry and attic fans help, too. Do not, however, install a large exhaust fan upstairs if you have a conventional gas burner, oil furnace or boiler with a chimney downstairs. The fan could suck air down the chimney and bring dangerous combustion products into the house.
Get all pipe leaks from boilers, fuel-burning cookers and space heaters repaired as soon as you notice them.
Don't heat a closed space with an unvented device such as a paraffin heater.
If you discover that you have asbestos insulation in walls, ceilings, cookers or boilers, don't touch it. Call a professional in to remove it.
