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Healthy homes

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Description:

OSU Extension provides practical, research-based guidance to help Oregonians create safe, healthy, and efficient home environments. From indoor air quality and mold prevention to reducing toxins and improving energy use, we offer tools and tips for maintaining healthier living spaces. Our resources support families, renters, and homeowners in making informed choices for everyday well-being.

Be Well Project

This work strengthens public health by helping private well users reduce exposure to harmful contaminants and make informed decisions about their drinking water. By improving health literacy, expanding access to testing and supporting state-level policy, the Be Well Program demonstrates the lasting value of OSU Extension’s trusted presence in Oregon communities.

Be Well Project: Lead in Your Drinking Water

Lead is a tasteless toxic metal that can contaminate well water. It can cause many serious health conditions. Learn how to test your water for lead and study options for water treatment.

Veronica Irvin, Molly Kile, Chrissy Lucas-Woodruff, Laura Neilson, Lilly Anderson | Jun 2023 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Be Well Project: Nitrate in Your Drinking Water

Nitrate can contaminate well water, leading to serious health conditions. Learn how to prevent nitrate from getting in your well and how to remove nitrate from your drinking water.

Veronica Irvin, Molly Kile, Chrissy Lucas-Woodruff, Laura Neilson, Lilly Anderson | Jun 2023 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Be Well Project: Arsenic in Your Drinking Water

Arsenic is a colorless, odorless toxic metal that can enter drinking water. Arsenic damage builds up over time and is linked to many health problems. Learn how to test and treat contaminated water.

Veronica Irvin, Molly Kile, Chrissy Lucas-Woodruff, Laura Neilson, Lilly Anderson | Jun 2023 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Keep your home free of mold and mildew!

Resources for identifying mold in and outside of the home and solutions are available through Solve Pest Problems, a partnership between OSU and Oregon stakeholders to provide safe and user-friendly information for homeowners.

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Healthy home resources

  • Protecting Indoor Air from Wildfire Smoke: Wildfire smoke can damage your lungs, heart, eyes, nose, throat and immune system. It can enter homes and contaminate indoor air. Protect yourself by staying inside and reducing indoor air pollution.
  • Resources for Flood Cleanup and Indoor Air Quality: This collection of resources from the United States Environmental Protection Agency advises on how to clean up and recover from a home flood.
  • Mold Cleanup in Your Home: Recommendations from the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency on how to properly clean mold in the home.
  • Solve Pest Problems: Learn research-based, safe, and effective tactics for common garden and property pests and weeds. We provide non-chemical methods alongside the most effective and least toxic chemical options available, to reduce risk to people and the environment. Solve Pest Problems is a partnership between OSU and Oregon stakeholders to provide a user-friendly online resource to help urban and rural property managers to solve pest problems.

Featured Questions

How to test and treat my residential well water?

Q: I am fairly new to using my well, and I had a few questions: My well has a holding tank and the water tested positive for E. coli bacteria. I had a UV light installed and was wondering what else I should do to ...

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How to get rid of mold in my home?

Q: In the fall and winter months, I struggle with mold in my attic, closets, and on my windowsills. I have been sick for some time and believe it's from the mold. What are some tips for identifying and removing mold in my house?

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Is my food still safe after power outages?

Q: As of this morning, we have been without any power for more than five days and it is still out, with a prediction of 2–4 more days until we reconnect. I have been assuming that we would lose the contents of our ...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

When should I pump my septic tank?

Q: There are various recommendations on when to pump a septic tank. What is your recommendation for pumping a 1000 gal polyethylene tank for a household of two adults? The chart in OSU Extension's publication states 5.9 years. ...

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How to control household ants?

Q: I have an ant problem inside my house. Throughout the year I have ants roaming every room of my house, with periodic outbreaks when they find something to eat. When there's an outbreak, I use bait to deal with them, but...

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How often should I clean my refrigerator and freezer?

Q: I just moved into a new apartment and I was wondering how often I should be cleaning out my refrigerator and my freezer. I would like to know recommendations for the actual sanitation of the fridge and how often I should throw away old food. Thank you!

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Home safety resources

  • American Red Cross Training Services: Sign up for CPR, AED and First Aid training and certification through the American Red Cross.
  • Preventing Falls at Home: Room by Room: This checklist from the National Institute of Aging has safety features and suggestions for each room of the home to prevent falls.
  • Fire Prevention & Education Resources: Strategies from the Oregon Office of the Fire Marshall for fire prevention and escape. This includes an overview of common fire causes such as cooking and electrical fires, and what to do when there is a fire in various settings.
  • Safe Kids Worldwide: Home Safety: This page lists common safety risks for children in the home and prevention tips. There are a collection of resources for each risk factor including infographics, videos, checklists and more.

Latest Resources

Stop germs: Wash your hands

Washing hands can keep you healthy and prevent the spread of respiratory and diarrheal infections.

Glenda Hyde, Carolyn Raab | Sep 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Food to Fight Wildfires

Eating foods rich in particular nutrients can help shield your lungs and heart from damage caused by air pollution and wildfire smoke. Learn what variety of healthy foods in your diet will be especially ...

Glenda Hyde, Diana Rohlman, Stephanie Russell, RD | Apr 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

5 Steps to Healthy Produce During Wildfire Smoke

Learn the five steps you can take to keep produce safe for consumption during a smoke event due to wildfire.

Glenda Hyde, Diana Rohlman, Julia Van Soelen Kim | Mar 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

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Latest News

Garden Future helps Oregon gardeners plan for a changing climate

New resources and shared stories support resilient home landscapes.

Chris Branam | Mar 17, 2026 | News story

Solve Pest Problems website gives gardeners solutions

Solve Pest Problems provides Oregon gardeners with easy access to research-based solutions for common pest and disease issues, helping them manage their gardens more effectively and safely.

Signe Danler | Feb 2025 | Impact story

OSU Extension collaborates with Oregon IPM Center to answer pest management questions

A long-standing partnership supports growers, Extension and homeowners.

Francesca Lear | Jan 9, 2025 | News story

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Meet Our Experts

Kaci Buhl

Contact with questions about the Pesticide Safety Education Program and the National Pesticide Information Center

Lauren Kraemer
Associate Professor, Family and Community Health

Contact me if you are interested in learning more about partnering with Extension Health faculty to support health and wellbeing programs in Oregon's Central Region.

Chrissy Lucas-Woodruff
Extension Domestic Groundwater and Septic Specialist, Associate Professor of Practice
Autumn Toelle-Jackson
4-H Program Coordinator

Contact me with questions about 4-H Programming and Family & Community Health in Harney County.

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Ask Extension

Have a question? Ask Extension!

Ask Extension is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

Ask us a question

What are these bugs on my walls?

Q: Small bugs have been appearing on our walls and ceiling for about two months — about five to 15 per day. What should I use to get rid of them? I occasionally see one flying, but they mostly rest in corners and sometimes stay in the same spot all day.

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