Radon is the second leading cause of cancer. Protect your family by making sure your home is radon-free!

Parents can take a simple step to protect their children from cancer later in life - they can get their home tested for radon.

There's no simple way other than testing to know if your home has radon. You can't smell, see or taste radon gas. And just because your neighbors don't have radon doesn't mean your house is safe too.

Why Parents Should Be Concerned

Several studies have demonstrated that children are more susceptible to radon exposure than adults. Children's lungs are different and children breathe more rapidly than adults, resulting in more exposure. Children are also at much greater risk because they spend a significant portion of their young lives indoors, where radon can accumulate to dangerous levels.

One study estimates that children six years of age are at greatest risk for radon exposure.

Radon and Tobacco Smoke

Radon is the second leading cause of cancer. Tobacco smoke is the first. But together they make a deadly combination that is especially harmful to young children. Studies have documented that second-hand tobacco smoke and radon have a synergistic effect that greatly increases people's odds of getting cancer.

If you have young children in your home, consider taking the smoke-free homes pledge today. Then contact Healthy Homes to have your home checked for radon.

Consider This...

Many parents are concerned about the cost of fixing their home for radon. But in today's real estate market, many buyers are testing for radon before they buy. This means that when you sell your home, you may be required to make repairs for radon.

Why wait and let the next family benefit instead of yours? If you have radon, find out early so your family can benefit. If you don't, you risk:

• Exposing your family to a known source of lung cancer.
• Not being able to sell your home because of concerns about high radon levels.
• Paying for expensive repairs that are of no benefit to your family.

If radon is there, it's not going away by itself. Make sure your family benefits by testing today.

Getting Started

The Healthy Homes Coalition can help you get started. We can help you check your home. If your home tests high, we may be able to help you find resources to make repairs. The important part is that you test your home today.

Get started by having your home tested. Contact the Healthy Homes Coalition at (616) 241-3300.