We have all heard about the effects of secondhand smoke, but there has not been much talk about “third-hand smoke.” You’ve probably noticed that being around a smoker can leave a smell in clothes, hair, and furniture, but did you know that smoke actually leaves behind a dangerous chemical, too?

Tobacco smoke leaves a residue of toxins on clothes, dust, and even your skin. Chemicals build up and can linger in areas like the inside of a car long after a smoker finishes a cigarette. Children are most vulnerable to third-hand smoke. When children crawl on the carpets of a smoker’s home, they are essentially crawling through the chemicals. The easiest way to avoid this build-up of chemicals is to refrain from smoking.

How do you keep smoke away from your family and belongings?