· Vacuum and clean regularly to remove possible sources of mold growth. Pay special attention to bathrooms and other areas of your home that are likely to generate a lot of moisture.

· In portions of your home that are susceptible to moisture, use area rugs or washable floor surfaces rather than wall-to-wall carpeting. If you use area rugs, launder them periodically.

· Do not store materials such as paper, books, clothes, or other possible sources of food for mold in humid parts of your home.

· Repair water leaks in your roof, windows, or any other part of the home as soon as possible.

· Clean refrigerator drip pans regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If your refrigerator and freezer doors do not seal properly, moisture can build up and mold can flourish. Remove any mold on the door gaskets and replace faulty gaskets.

· If you live in a house, make sure that your gutters and downspouts are clear of debris that may block the flow of water from your roof. Properly grade the area under your downspouts, so that rainwater from the roof flows away from your foundation. Splash blocks can help rainwater flow in the proper direction. If necessary, extend your downspouts.

· Check the grading of other areas around your foundation, so that rainwater does not flow toward the house.

· Plant gardens and shrubs away from your foundation, so that water does not flow toward your house when watering them. If you water your lawn with a sprinkler, make sure the water does not hit your house or the area next to the foundation.

· In the kitchen and bathroom, open windows or use exhaust fans when engaging in activities that produce moisture. Exhaust fans should be vented to the outdoors and not to an attic or crawl space.

· Make sure that clothing dryers are vented to the outdoors.

· If you use a humidifier, check that it does not produce an excessive amount of humidity. Read the manufacturers directions for proper use.

· Consider using a dehumidifier if you have a basement. The cool basement floor and walls can be a source of moisture build-up.

· Properly insulate and ventilate the attic of your home.

· If you have a crawl space under your house, cover the soil in the crawl space with waterproof polyethylene plastic. If your crawl space is ventilated, close the vents in the summer and keep them open in the winter.