Studies going as far back as the 1940s show that daylight can kill harmful germs, even when reflected through glass. So let as much of it into your house as possible making sure your curtains or blinds aren't covering too much of your window and are well and truly open in the day.

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All sleep experts agree that mobile phones make bad bedfellows, but over half of us use a phone or tablet in bed. The light emitted by the screen interferes with the body's biorhythms, messing with our sleep patterns – even the few seconds it takes to check a message can affect us. Not to mention the strain to our necks and backs. If you must keep your phone in the bedroom, switch off alerts overnight adn try to hold it at eye level to avoid back and neck strain.

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One load of wet laundry can contain up to two litres of water and when you drape washing around the house to dry, that water evaporates into your home. This creates a happy breeding ground for the Aspergillus fungus, which can worsen asthma and trigger lung problems in those with weakened immune systems. If you can't dry outside, make sure you crack a window so the moisture can escape - even in winter, if you can bear it!

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It depends on your home! The perfect humidity level for your home is somewhere between 30 and 55 per cent – any more and your home can develop problems with damp and mould. Any less and you might find you suffer from dry skin and nasal passages – which makes you more prone to coughs and colds. Tackle this with a humidifier, which releases moisture into a room helping ease the symptoms. If damp is your problem a dehumidifier draws out the damp air.

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Clutter around the house is like white noise, causing a low level of stress humming just beneath your level of consciousness. And yet who has time to keep a perfect house all the time? Get over this by setting a new rule – establish one zone of the house which is always completely clutter free, so you've always got somewhere to relax when the mess gets you down!

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We tend to think of pollution as being outdoors - caused by traffic fumes and industry. But as our houses get cosier and more well-insulated, pollutants can build up indoors too. Think dust mites, fumes from gas cookers and dirt brought in on our shoes and clothes. Combat this build up by investing in a vacuum cleaner with an anti-allergy filter – the Sebo D2 Titan Echo, or the Dyson DC39 Animal (pictured) are both reputable anti-allergy vacuum cleaners. Making people take their shoes off when they come in will also help.

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Like humans, dust mites just love a cosy bed with warm, slightly humid air. Which is why research has shown that they breed better in made-up beds, which stay warmer for longer, than they do in scruffy unmade ones. So rediscover your inner teenager, throw that duvet back in the morning and you'll cut back on the dust in your mattress.

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Most homes just aren't set up for the number of electrical gadgets we've acquired over the last dozen years, so most of us have extension leads trailing through every room. These cords aren't supposed to be used as permanent wiring and can become damaged if they're walked on or bent in the same place for long periods. Never coil them up, there's a danger they might overheat. And if your home is full of them, do think about getting an electrician to fit more sockets - it will be a lot safer.

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We spend between 20 and 40 hours a week watching TV and our bodies really aren't designed for such long term sofa-snuggling. Protect your back by pushing your bottom all the way to the back of the settee and supporting your lumbar region with a firm cushion or rolled up towel. If the sofa's too deep, make sure your feet are on a stool and your hips aren't lower than your knees. Now enjoy those box sets responsibly!

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Carbon monoxide poisoning happens when gas appliances like boilers or cookers aren't burning all their fuel – for example if a vent or chimney is blocked or if it's been badly fitted. Shockingly, up to 50 people a year still die from inhaling this odourless gas. A carbon monoxide detector with an audible alarm costs as little as £15 – you can buy them from FireAngel and Honeywell. Check the batteries regularly. 

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