Updated at: 11/20/2009 2:21 PM

Winter Hazards in the Home

As the temperature starts to drop, and winter moves in on the Northland, many homeowners look for ways to save on energy bills. Some people also start to work on indoor projects. At this time of year, there are potential dangers that homeowners need to be aware of. Dangers like radon, mold and asbestos.

Sealing up the house to conserve heat during the winter months is something people do every year. The house may feel warmer, but Jim Perrault of Perrault Construction says there are some hidden dangers that may be getting trapped inside. Dangers like radon.

"If your breathing it in and that break up occurs inside your lungs. Your lungs don't have protection the skin does and those particulates lodge into the lining of the lung. They can develop cancer." Perrault says.

Radon is a gas you cannot smell, taste or see. The U.S. Surgeon General says it's the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking, killing 21,000 people per year. The Wisconsin & Minnesota Department of Health recommends that homeowners test their homes for radon. Kits can be purchased at any hardware store, and take about a week to get the results back.

Radon isn't the only winter threat. Mold exposure can also be a problem. Enough mold can contribute to asthma, allergies and other health problems. The good news for homeowners is that some mold problems can be fixed. Perrault says that putting a fan up to the moldy area, can help solve the problem.

A third hazard can occur when indoor housing projects get started. Asbestos disturbed during remodeling releases tiny fibers into the air. Fibers that you then breath in. Jim Perrault says there are two ways to handle asbestos.

"One is to remove it. And the other is to incase it." he says.

It is good for the home to have proper air circulation during the winter months.

"If your house is open and air is coming in and out of it, bringing in more fresh air to dilute the amount of radon that's there." Perrault says. "But if windows are closed and doors are shut, your house just holds that air inside it."

If you would like more information on radon, mold, and asbestos, visit the Minnesota Department of Health or the Wisconsin Department of Health.