Santa had a great idea this year. Seeing as we have a dirt-floored Michigan basement and two rowdy boys who will be cooped up all winter, Santa thought we ought to build a sand box in our basement. Then the boys could spend hours being boys without freezing their fingers off.
I made plans. I priced items at the hardware store. I braved being trampled by horses to haul several bags of sand into my basement. Christmas eve arrived, although Santa had planned to have the box all built on Christmas morning, time constraints and procrastination led to another fantastic idea--Santa would leave supplies and plans and the boys and I would spend Christmas building it!!! I went to the hardware store Christmas Eve morning, loaded up all the boards and supplies, went to grab the plastic sheeting for the bottom and . . . no small rolls of plastic sheeting. Only the enormous contractor-sized rolls remained. I flagged down an employee and asked him if there was more plastic, and/or if I should just use plywood on the bottom. He informed me that I should consider covering my entire basement in plastic because these scary Michigan basements are scary for more reasons than darkness and ghosts. Reasons like Radon.
Apparently Radon (a radioactive, carcinogenic vapor) is emitted naturally from the earth. This generally presents no problem as it is diluted in nature. Except when it pools in the enclosed space under a home. Particularly problematic when small children play in the dirt, releasing the vapors and dust and inhale the stuff.
So, Santa reshelved her boards, supplies and excitement. And instead, purchased a radon test kit. In spite of the disappointment, I was happy to have one less thing to worry about this Christmas. I'll let you know what we find out, and maybe we can talk to the Easter Bunny about building a box this spring.
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