THERE REALLY IS A MONSTER IN YOUR KIDS ROOMS.

Creating healthy living spaces for our children.

You may not know it, but lurking behind the happy colors and cute images toxic avengers are doing their dirty deeds. That just painted smell. That new carpet odor. They're signals that chemicals are invading your space. This is especially important in the spaces our children occupy because their smaller bodies can't fend off pollutants they way an adult body can.

Here's how to create a healthy space for your children that's still as adorable as you want it to be.

Start with the paint. Remember, don't just choose the color, choose the ingredients. Look for labels that say zero-VOC. VOC's are those nasty chemicals that give paint that "just painted" smell. A good rule to follow is if you can smell it, don't breathe it.

The good news is there are plenty of beautiful choices in non-toxic paint. They're durable, easy to work with and don't pollute our inner air environment with toxins. Check out healthylivingpaint.com. They do beautiful non-toxic paints, finishes, floor coverings, safe cleaning products and more.

Thinking of wall paper? Maybe you shouldn't Most conventional wall coverings are vinyl based which is petroleum based. Once again, trust your nose.

Instead, grab a friend and faux finish a wall or two. Paint the ceiling sky blue and puff on big white clouds. Put a couple of trellis supports next to each other, paint them white than layer with different fun colors. Put on some overalls and play Jackson Pollock. You can download a free how-to guide at healthylivingpaints.com

Walls covered, now let's go to the floor. Scientific American Magazine reported that a baby crawling on conventional carpet inhales the equivalent of 4 cigarettes a day. Happily there are great natural choices. Cork tiles, bamboo, slate, tiles and more. Not only are they safer, they're also easier to clean and therefore more sanitary. Add a wool throw rug or natural carpet such as coir and you've created a décor rich safe haven. Lots of stores and catalogs carry them.

Your baby's mattress, mattress pad, crib bumper pads and pillows should be natural and chemical free. Think of how much time kids spend in bed and in their rooms.

Blankets, sheets, pillowcases, all of them should pass the nose test. If it has "that" smell, buy something that doesn't. More and more people are learning that natural is better, so more and more mainline stores like Target are bringing natural products in.

And least I forget let me make a stink about air fresheners. That "Rainy Valley" or "Spring Flower" description couldn't be further from the truth, they're chemical laden and unhealthy to be around. Instead of spring flower on a bottle, how bout spring flowers in a vase or flowerpot. They'll not only add some color and beauty, but bring some nature in.

There's nothing more important than keeping our children healthy. Creating a safe and healthy inner environment for yourself and your entire family is one of the easiest and most controllable things you can do.

Irv Weinberg is the founder of Mind Over Markets. A full service marketing consultancy specializing in green products and services. He also is the creator/co-host of America The Green one of the most popular eco-podcasts on the net and number 3 on i-tunes. He writes extensively on green marketing and the green world.

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