Have you ever been suspicious of what potential damage 24/7 WiFi exposure could be doing to your health over time?
We're not about to put tin foil hats on our heads but the facts are, no one knows exactly what long term effects WiFi exposure around the home or office may have on our health. In the last year there have been several studies listed in the links below about WiFi exposure reportedly having harmful effects on house plants & trees. While the effect on humans may be nothing, a few people have asked us how they can minimise their WiFi exposure around the home. We've come up with some helpful tips on how to do just that:
1. Automate your WiFi router to switch off the WiFi while you sleep.
There’s often no need to have the WiFi radio of your wireless router beaming out WiFi while you’re sleeping and it is possible to tell it to switch off that part of the router at scheduled times. This can also be a great go to bed prompt for the kids or those addicted to late night Facebook / instagram browsing.
Unfortunately, finding the right hardware/software that allows you to do this can be tricky for the home user. There are a few router models out there with software that will you to do this however the right one for you will depend on your specific needs. We've found that modified routers running advanced DD-WRT firmware provide the best control over WiFi scheduling & security. If this all sounds like gobbledygook, feel free to contact us for up to date information on the best wireless router for your needs.
2. Run Ethernet cable to your devices and switch off WiFi when possible (desktops, laptops, gaming consoles, internet connected TV’s and media players).
Running Ethernet cable will allow you to have faster, more reliable network connectivity while minimising WiFi usage in the home. Ethernet cable can be purchased in a wide range of different lengths at most office supply & tech stores. If you are in need of professional help to neatly cable your home, we’re more than happy to assist you.
3. Use a WiFi router that has a manual WiFi on/off button
Having a WiFi on/off button on the router allows you to manually turn the WiFi radio on and off when you please. Manually turning off the WiFi while away from home is also great for protecting your network from WiFi hackers.
Related articles:
http://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/wireless-router-wi-fi-plants/
http://www.geek.com/news/study-says-wifi-might-be-killing-the-trees-1296118/