Is Your House Killing You? (Sundance Channel)

common sense media says

Informative series discusses hidden domestic dangers.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that kids probably won't be too interested in this dry but revealing Australian series that looks at the harmful impact of molds, toxins, and other pollutants in a home. Although it also covers ways to deal with these substances, viewers who are sensitive about environmental or medical issues (and/or their homes) might find it a little alarming. While the show doesn't talk specifically about environmental issues, it does have some subtle pro-green messages.

Positive messages: The series reveals how mold and pollutants hidden in a home can harm its residents -- and offers solutions to some of these problems.
Violence: The series isn't violent, but some viewers may find the discussions about being poisoned by carcinogens and other substances a little disturbing.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Poisons (like arsenic) and other dangerous toxins are discussed.

More on Is Your House Killing You?

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how the media addresses environmentalism. Does a TV show specifically have to talk about living “green” in order to have environmental messages? Families can also discuss how their own homes might be impacting their health. What kinds of precautions can you take to avoid pollutants? If you think that there's something in your home that's making someone in your family sick, where can you go for help?

What's the story?

What's the story?
IS YOUR HOUSE KILLING YOU? is an Australian series that reveals the unseen health dangers that homes can pose to their owners. Each week environmentalists Peter Dingle and Cedric Cheong visit the home of a family plagued by a variety of medical issues -- like asthma, eczema, and fatigue. After taking samples from the house and surrounding areas, the team runs tests searching for hidden contaminants like mold, noxious chemical fumes, and poisons. Owners are also tested for allergies and contamination levels. Once the problems are identified, the team oversees the home's detoxification and gives the owners concrete advice on how to avoid long-term exposure to pollutants in the future.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The show's title may be a little dramatic, but it certainly sends the message that what you don't see can definitely hurt you. It offers clear explanations about how long-term exposure to unseen contaminants can be the direct cause of a wide variety of conditions, from uncomfortable allergies to life-threatening illnesses. It also examines how household products and chemically treated home renovation materials can contribute to the level of toxins that people are exposed to over time.

While the show doesn't address how costly it can be to decontaminate and/or renovate a home, it does point out that the money spent on doctors and medications to treat contaminant-related illnesses can be reduced and/or avoided if homes are detoxified. It also shows how very basic, relatively inexpensive precautions -- like cleaning homes properly and wearing protective gear when handling chemicals -- can greatly reduce exposure to harmful elements. Bottom line? The information presented here may be enough to motivate homeowners suffering from chronic or inexplicable illnesses to look to their houses for clues.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: Sundance Channel
Cast: Cedric Cheong, Peter Dingle, Petra Schulenberg
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: Sundance Channel

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 
 

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age