January is National Radon Action Month, and City of Fort Collins officials encourage community members to take this opportunity to protect their health by testing their home for radon. Radon is a colorless, odorless and naturally occurring gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer.

Radon gas enters homes and other buildings through cracks and openings in basements, crawl spaces and slabs. Radon levels vary from house to house and have nothing to do with the age, upkeep or quality of the building; however, Colorado homes are at a higher risk for radon.

Testing the radon levels in your home is simple and inexpensive. Here are a few options:

• Purchase a radon test kit. The City of Fort Collins sells discounted short-term ($6) and long-term ($20) kits for you to test your own home. These kits are available at the Fort Collins Senior Center, located at 1200 Raintree Dr.

• Be one of the first 100 people to receive a free short-term kit at the Fort Collins Senior Center during the month of January.

If your home has high radon levels:

• Homeowners: Hire a professional. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provides links to contractors that are certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program and the National Radon Safety Board. Visit their website to find qualified radon contractors in your area. Financial assistance is available through the Low-Income Radon Mitigation Assistance Program.

• Renters: Inform your landlord. Under Colorado law, tenants can void their lease if the landlord does not make reasonable efforts to mitigate elevated radon levels after 180 days.

To learn more about radon and its health impacts, visit www.fcgov.com/radon.