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At bath time look after personal hygiene and the environment, naturally.

Photo courtesy Weleda [UK] Ltd.

Improve personal wellbeing and help the environment

A healthy home is important to maintaining good physical and mental health. For example, living in a cold damp home, problems with fuel poverty can directly effect how we think and feel. Also, the chemicals that we use, risks from accidental injury from falls, cuts, burns, infection, poisoning can all have a negative impact on our lives.

The good news is that there are many organisations, products and services available to ensure that we are safe and secure in the home.

Also, there are steps that the individual can take to improve their wellbeing and environment like domestic tidiness, routine hygiene and ‘going green’ at home. For example:

• Bio-D is a British company, whose range includes toilet cleaner, multi–surface cleaner, glass/mirror cleaner and general purpose polish as well as washing–up liquids, washing powder, laundry liquid and fabric conditioner. They aim to have the minimum impact on the environment in both use and the manufacturing process, and the products are approved by the Vegan Society and the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection [BUAV],

• Ecover manufacture a large range of cleaning products, including washing powders, percarbonate bleach [containing no chlorine], dishwasher tablets and rinse aid, cream cleaner, toilet cleaner and floor soap. Most of their products are vegan and vegetable–based. They do not test on animals and have an ecological factory in Belgium,

• Faith in Nature is based in the United Kingdom. Their Clear Spring household range includes washing–up liquid, laundry liquid, dishwasher gel, rinse aid, without the use of optical whiteners, bleach, phosphates and enzymes. Their products are designed using natural ingredients, herbal extracts and organic material by preference and all products are BUAV approved.

With an ageing population, another aspect of health in the home concerns people who prefer to remain at home because of their illness, rather than go into residential care. There are many organisations and companies manufacturing health aids, equipment and home improvements to help you remain in your own home if you so wish.

Consult with your local social services, GP and health professional, private organisations and charities, such as The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers is the largest provider of comprehensive carers support services in the UK. Through its network of 133 independently managed Carers' Centres , 83 young carers services and interactive websites, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers currently provides quality information, advice and support services to almost 310,000 carers, including over 15,500 young carers.

According to research from Loughborough University there are 2.6 million accidents each year in homes around the United Kingdom. To help stay safe from physical danger keep–an–eye on electrical equipment which might exhibit frayed cords, or the cable stretched across the room from its power point, becoming a lethal trip wire.

With electrical and gas appliances, for annual checks, repairs and general work to be carried out, always seek professional advice. Check with your local council, governing bodies and other professional organisations.

Infolink: The Princess Royal Trust for Carers are regular editorial contributors to Communicatormentalhealth.org online and printed magazine. Click and read The Trust's editorial column.

Sources: GreenChoices website: www.greenchoices.org | The Princess Royal Trust for Carers websites: www.carers.org and www.youngcarers.net | Loughborough University website: www.lboro.ac.uk.

Additional sources of information: Bookshops, on the high street and online, commercial health publishers, manufacturers and providers of health products and services, relevant government departments, NHS organisations and local libraries.

Health advice: Always consult with your GP or healthcare professional.

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