This is a collaborative post. All opinions are my own.

I tend to focus on the aesthetic parts of designing my home: the furniture, the decor, the artwork. But one vital part of creating a family home is making sure that it's safe. The fact that our house could be harmful to the health of our family is one of the most worrying things ever. While it's rare and unlikely that house issues would bring serious illness to our family, even a slim possibility is enough to make me concerned--and take action. Here's how to make sure that your home is the safe haven it should be. Most of these tasks aren't too time-consuming (or money-consuming), either!

1. Say goodbye to dust

For most of us, dust is nothing more than an inconvenience. Having to pick up all of your items and dust around them individually feels like it takes forever, and this may put you off the idea of doing it at all. However, many studies have shown that dust can have detrimental effects to health, with one medical journal stating that household dust contains, on average, around 45 different chemicals. Many other scientists link the presence of dust with increased risk of asthma and allergies, too. If you want to ensure that your home is safe, keep dusting, but also try to vacuum as often as you can, as most dust will be on your carpets and rugs!

2. Open up the windows

There is nothing like letting some fresh air in, for your health and the overall good of your home. It’s not really great for your body if you’re breathing in a lot of stale air. You could try to keep your bedroom window open at night, or open it for a little while in the morning. It has been noted that many newer homes are pretty airtight (especially as you insulate them, and you don’t want to lose any heat) so it’s unlikely that the air will be purified in any other way, especially if you don't have an air conditioning unit.

3. Get rid of mold

Mold is one of those things that just seems to develop wherever there is a slight bit of water involved. It can lead you to think, 'is there any point in removing mold in my home, especially if it just keeps coming back?' However, mold also brings many health issues with it, such as breathing problems and tightness of the chest, and sneezing and nasal congestion. Basically, it’s pretty bad for you and your family. You can solve this by using store bought mold remover, and ensuring that you open your windows regularly, too. In some cases, you may need to get a professional in.

4. Be cautious about cleaning products

Many people don't think twice before using chemical cleaning products in our kitchens and bathrooms. After all, surely it’s beneficial to make sure that our kids aren’t playing in a dirty environment, and that we’re not living in a messy home? Just to be clear here: we’re not telling you to cut out cleaning altogether. It’s just that many cleaning products are jam-packed with nasty chemicals, and they can also present health issues. Check out those cleaning products that don’t include toxins, as there are many natural alternatives out there. Switching to chemical-free cleaners will benefit you and your whole family!

5. Get some houseplants

Houseplants are brilliant little gifts from Mother Nature, and they have a whole host of health benefits too. Not only do they help to purify the air, but they are also known to boost your mood, and there is something about adding that little touch of nature to a space. Be careful if you have kids and pets to look for plants that aren't poisonous (cats, for example, are allergic to lilies) and you may want to look into the plants that are low-maintenance if you don’t have a lot of time to water them regularly. However, you’ll immediately see and feel the difference if you lighten up your home a little with some plants, so get shopping!

So, if you want to make sure that your home is safe for your family, try out some of these simple tips. From getting rid of the dust, to investing in some beautiful houseplants, you can rest easy knowing that your home is a safe place for your loved ones (and it looks, and smells, great too). Good luck!

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