15 common items with hidden health risks

Sleepers with an incline of 10 to 30 degrees make it difficult, if not impossible, for babies to lift their heads or otherwise reposition themselves. Furthermore, the plush materials prevent babies from gaining any leverage to move, and therefore pose a suffocation risk. A recent report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission found that none of the inclined sleep products they tested is safe for infant sleep. Babies should be put to sleep on flat, rigid surfaces with inclines of less than 10 degrees.

Everyone appreciates a clean-smelling home, but commercial air fresheners are not the healthy way to achieve it. Air fresheners release volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, including formaldehyde and other gases. VOCs are considered indoor air pollutants and can trigger allergies, asthma, migraines and more. In addition, they often contain a class of chemicals called phthalates, which are known hormone disruptors, meaning they can cause birth defects and other medical problems. If you’re trying to rid your home of unpleasant smells, start by opening windows, or try these clever hacks to make your home smell amazing.

Each day, the average woman uses 12 personal care products, including makeup, lotion, cleansers, conditioners, fragrances or dyes, and the average man uses six, according to the Environmental Working Group. The effect? Exposure to hundreds of chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled. While many of these chemicals are perfectly safe, others – like parabens and phthalates – have been linked to reproductive harm, breast cancer, immune system deficiencies and more. Some products even contain heavy metals, such as lead and mercury, or PFAs like those in plastics. To find out if a personal care product has concerning ingredients, check EWG’s SkinDeep database.

Here are 7 harmful beauty product ingredients that you should swap out.

Running or walking shoes that are past their prime increase your risk of injury. The average sneaker life span is 480 to 800 kilometres, or about six months, if you exercise regularly. If you’ve had them longer than that, or if your shoes show obvious signs of breakdown, it may be time to give them the boot. A couple easy-to-spot clues: worn out treads, or once-rigid shoes that you can now twist or bend. If the internal structure or even the cushioning has worn down, you could develop problems ranging from a sprained ankle or blisters to plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, or other foot conditions caused by a lack of support.

How to walk properly: follow these 6 tips to fix your walking form.

If you have allergies, your safe haven for sleep might actually trigger symptoms. It’s not just that sleeping on dirty sheets can make you sick. Dust mites love snuggling into mattresses and bedding, so use an airtight plastic cover on your mattress if you’re prone to sneezing. Some mattresses are also made with chemicals such as polyurethane and formaldehyde that can off-gas while you sleep. And if your mattress is more than eight or ten years old, consider replacing it. Otherwise, it may no longer provide the support you need and lead to back pain. Rotate your mattress frequently, and when it’s time to buy a new mattress, look for one made with organic materials.

We love our electronic devices and appliances, and we love the convenience of having them within arm’s reach. Many of us use extension cords throughout our homes for this reason. But using an extension cord incorrectly could be a fire hazard or cause electric shock.

Before plugging in an appliance, make sure the cord is designed to handle its wattage, and never use an extension cord for more than one major appliance, warns the Electrical Safety Foundation International. Also, don’t try to hide them by running them under a rug or furniture. And if you’re using an extension cord outdoors, be sure it’s plugged into a GFCI outlet to protect against shock in the event of rain or snow.

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Source: RD.com