"Radon is a leading cause of lung cancer, second only to cigarette smoking", says Debra Holtzman J.D, M.A, "The Safety Expert", an internationally acclaimed child safety and health expert and the best-selling author of "The Safe Baby: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Home Safety and Healthy Living" (Sentient Publications, 2009) . In fact, it is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States.

Debra Holtzman recommends learning about radon and following these tips to keep you and your family safe:

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- January has been designated National Radon Action Month by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Radon has been identified as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, second only to smoking. Radon gas killed 20,000 Americans in 2010 according to EPA findings.

Local contractor Lonnie Mallon, owner of Mallon Construction Services, is on board with the EPA in educating the public on the health risks due to radon gas exposure. Mallon has owned his own construction and remodeling business since 1982 but made radon mitigation his primary focus in 1992.