Residence: Choosing

Here are some things to consider doing. Some items may not be applicable to you.

  • Avoid a residence which is:

    • Too high to be reached by available fire ladders (e.g., fire department ladder truck)
    • Near a toxic waste site
    • Near a dry-cleaning plant dry cleaning workers may have twice the risk of getting cancer as the general public
    • Near an airport, especially under the departure or arrival flight paths

  • Check the neighborhood on various days and at various times to check for:

    • Noise, e.g., parties
    • Traffic
    • Unusual events, e.g., aircraft flyovers, drug pushers
    • Lighting, e.g., from street lamps, store signs

If the residence was built before 1979:

  • Determine if there is a hazard to children from lead paint (use of lead paint was restricted in 1978)

EXPLORE: At Home

Thanks for reading!