"Every second of every day, we face an onslaught of unnecessary dangers - toxic chemicals, negative energies, unforeseen side effects, and more," warns Dave Wentz in the Introduction to THE HEALTHY HOME: Simple Truths to Protect Your Family From Hidden Household Dangers (Vanguard Press/March 2011) written with microbiologist Dr. Myron Wentz. What most people don't realize is that many of these risks are within the walls of their own homes. In their comprehensive new book- made accessible by its down-to-earth tone, cartoons, and color illustrations- the authors offer an in-depth look at these dangers, along with simple, effective ways to create a healthier place to live.

THE HEALTHY HOME walks readers room-by-room through a typical house, pointing out a wide array of hazards - many of them surprising and counter-intuitive - and offering easy-to-implement fixes. As fun to read as it is informative, the book is a remarkable mix of science along with practical tools and explanations in layman's terms. Each chapter begins with a quiz, enabling readers to assess their current lifestyles. The more points they accrue, the more toxic their home is. Questions include:

• Which products do you use for laundry? (scented detergent - 6 points; dryer sheets - 6 points; static cling spray - 3 points);
• What role does plastic play in your kitchen? (plastic wrap covering stored food - 4 points; plastic containers for heating food in the microwave - 8 points).

Each chapter ends with a series of simple solutions, including point values, making improvements easy to achieve and measure. The authors' blueprint for safer and healthier living covers:

The Bedroom - Most people spend more than one-third of their lives in their bedrooms, but this space is far from a haven when it comes to environmental toxins, warn the Wentzes. These hazards include the chemicals in synthetic fabrics and dry cleaning, as well as the electromagnetic fields created by alarm clocks, cell phone chargers, and lamps. The Wentzes lay out a variety of solutions, such as switching to natural or organic bedding; airing out dry cleaning before bringing it inside; and moving electronics away from the bed.

The Bathroom - "If you aren't willing to eat something, you shouldn't put it on your skin," says Dr. Wentz. The average bathroom is full of personal care products - from skin lotions to antiperspirants - that contain toxic chemicals and elements that can literally kill human cells. The authors also explore the dangers of fluoride toothpaste, mercury dental fillings, and the overuse of antibiotics, anti-bacterials, and other drugs. THE HEALTHY HOME offers such tips as cutting back on highly-scented personal care products, switching to fluoride-free toothpaste, and listening to the doctor if he or she says an antibiotic isn't necessary.

The Kitchen - Healthy eating isn't just what we ingest - it also involves food preparation and storage. THE HEALTHY HOME discusses the risks of highly processed food; how slicing, dicing, and boiling leads to loss of key minerals and antioxidants; the potentially carcinogenic effects of cooking at high temperatures; the dangers of nonstick coatings and plastic containers; and the surprising truth about why milk doesn't necessarily "do a body good." Among other things, the Wentzes urge readers to stop grilling meat or reduce the heat on the grill, switch to glass containers for food storage, and trade plastic bottled water for filtered tap water.

Living Areas - "The air indoors is usually two to five times more polluted than outdoor air," write the authors. The culprits include chemicals in carpets, paints, and common cleaning products. Another major hazard is the sea of radiation from Wi-Fi, cell phones, and other electronic gadgets. Simple solutions outlined in THE HEALTHY HOME include: replacing chemical cleaning products with old-school but effective methods like vinegar and baking soda; making living areas a "no shoe" zone; using a hands-free, wired headset with your cell phone; and shutting off the Wi-Fi transmitter at bedtime.

The Garage & Yard - Our garages and yards often harbor major contaminants - car exhaust; fumes from old paint, gasoline, and motor oil; pesticides; and more - that could easily impact our lives inside our homes as well. The authors suggest that readers finish and seal the walls of attached garages; clear out old cans; and pursue "integrated pest management" which includes cultivating pest-repelling plants and bringing in "good" bugs and birds that will help in the fight.

Perhaps most importantly, readers can choose which solutions in THE HEALTHY HOME they wish to implement. "You don't have to accomplish everything we recommend," write the authors. "Adopting one good habit will make a person healthier; several positive changes can improve a person's quality of life; and with each added step, our readers can extend their lives by years," they explain. THE HEALTHY HOME is an invaluable guide that will change the way we live simply and easily.

DAVE WENTZ is chief executive officer of USANA Health Sciences, a state-of-the-art manufacturer of nutritional supplements and health products. He received a bachelor's degree in bioengineering from the University of California, San Diego. He lives with his wife, Renée, and son, Andrew, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

DR. MYRON WENTZ holds a Ph.D. in microbiology with a specialty in immunology from the University of Utah. He founded Gull Laboratories in 1974 and developed the first commercially available diagnostic test for the Epstein-Barr virus. Later he founded USANA Health Sciences and Sanoviv Medical Institute. Honored in June 2007 with the Albert Einstein Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Life Sciences, he is the author of A Mouth Full of Poison and Invisible Miracles.