Almost every home now has WiFi, so it’s inevitable to get exposed to EMF radiation. If you’re looking to reduce your exposure levels, there are many solutions to try. One of them is turning off WiFi before going to bed. In this short guide, you will learn how easy it is turning WiFi off and the main reasons why you should do it every night.
Main Reasons You Need to Turn WiFi Off At Night
While the studies that we will be mentioned in this article are mostly about cell phones rather than WiFi, it’s perfectly fine because WiFi devices and cell phones both emit RF-EMF radiation. Basically, RF-EMF radiation is frequencies ranging between 3kHz to 300GHz. Some of the most common sources include smart appliances, microwaves, Bluetooth devices, cell phones, and WiFi routers with either 5GHz or 2.4GHz.
RF-EMF radiation exposure can lead to some health issues including brain tumors and cancers. Since you don’t normally use your WiFi when sleeping, it’s best turning WiFi off to reduce radiation in your home. So why is turning WiFi off before going to bed a healthy habit? Here are the major reasons to consider unplugging at night:
Risk of cancer
According to the World Health Organization, RF-EMF radiation is categorized as possibly carcinogenic. However, the International Association for Research on Cancer recommended to re-categorize it as probably carcinogenic in 2019. This recommendation has been made according to a study that indicates a higher risk of glioma or brain cancer for heavy mobile phone users.
In a study on mice, RF-EMF radiation exposure has been linked to the development of heart tumors. Due to its cumulative nature, the more devices you have that produce EMF radiation, the higher exposure you get. WiFi emits a significant amount of RF-EMF radiation, so unplugging it at night can significantly reduce your level of exposure.
Cellular damage
Radiation exposure can disrupt cells when sending signals to one another. When a disruption occurs, the cells will not be able to absorb nutrients which can lead to abnormalities. While RF-EMF radiation is a non-ionizing, low-energy type of radiation, it can cause cellular damage at a tremendous amount from cumulative exposure.
You probably don’t need to worry about cellular damage and health issues with occasional exposure to WiFi. On the other hand, it would be a problem when you get exposed to WiFi-enabled devices including cell phones all day along with other devices that produce non-ionizing radiation. To lower your cumulative exposure, make turning WiFi off at night a habit.
Male infertility
Based on several studies, RF-EMF radiation can affect overall male health, potency, and motility of sperm. It can decrease sperm quality due to thermal heating when you place your laptop or cell phone near your body. Moreover, there are cellular changes that also happen during radiation exposure.
Miscarriages and child defects
For pregnant women and expectant children, there are some serious health issues to consider when it comes to EMF exposure. Studies show that there is a link between miscarriages and EMF radiation. Less exposure to radiation equals a low rate of miscarriage, while high exposure means more incidents of miscarriage.
One research says that frequent use of cell phones is linked to high miscarriage rates. RF-EMF radiation is dangerous for pregnant women as it can affect both their pregnancy and their child. Developing fetuses and children are vulnerable to RF-EMF radiation due to their thinner skulls and weaker immunity. If you have kids at home, make sure you’re turning WiFi off at night to reduce their exposure.
Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity symptoms
If you suffer from EHS, EMF radiation exposure can cause impaired sleep, difficulty focusing, nausea, itchiness, headaches, and other related symptoms. Some EHS patients experience physiological symptoms, if you’re one of them, it’s helpful to turn off your WiFi at night to get some relief.
Ways to Safely Turn Off Your WiFi
After knowing the main reasons why you should turn off your WiFi at night, let’s now explore the two different approaches when turning it off safely. You can choose from these options based on your preference.
Manual
In the manual method, you don’t need to exert a lot of effort in order to turn off your WiFi. You just need to shut off the router before you go to bed. However, you may need to use a Go Dark alarm setting to help you remember to turn it off. The alarm and the WiFi go off together, so it’s easier for you.
Depending on the WiFi router model, you can simply unplug your device to turn it off. If you find a power button on the router, press it to shut the device off. If you are not sure, you can review the manual for some helpful guides. When turning it back on, wait a while to allow your WiFi device to cycle on.
Timer
With the timer method, you need to spend a little more money, but it’s a good investment if you really want to reduce your exposure to EMF radiation in your home. The timer allows you to set the time for the router to automatically turn off or back on. The outlet timer will let you do this without breaking a sweat.
You can try the BK-LINK 24-Hour Plugin Mechanical Timer if you don’t know which of the options out there are reliable. It’s so easy to use, just plug the timer into a wall while your WiFi router is connected to the timer. Set the exact time to turn it off or on and that’s it.
If your WiFi router comes with an option to set it on a timer, you may need to use an app or software on the computer to open it up. Go to Settings and find the scheduler to automatically turn it on or off during on/off times. Don’t forget to save your new settings to make sure the router turns off at night.
Determining the Results
Now, it’s important to measure your success in order to see if things are working as expected. Once you started turning your WiFi off every night, the next step is to determine how much radiation you are able to get rid of. The best way to do this is to use an EMF meter to see the difference you are making. You can try the TriField TF2 to detect different types of EMF radiation.
Using the EMF meter, take a couple of measurements, one reading while the WiFi is off and another one while it’s on. Make sure it’s in the same location while taking the two readings to get accurate results. Then you can take another reading from a new location to see different exposure levels around your home. The results while the WiFi is off should be significantly lower than the measurements when it is on.
Should You Opt for a Wired Connection
Perhaps, you’re thinking about going wired to effectively reduce EMF radiation levels in your home. Wired internet requires each device to be connected to an Ethernet cable. You plug the cable into a port or modem to set up your wired internet. The entire process can be taxing, but it can significantly reduce your EMF radiation at home.
On the other hand, if you don’t want to go wired, you can invest in a router guard to contain the EMF radiation. It works like a Faraday cage but still allows signals to pass through the WiFi router guard. This device is one of the must-haves if you’re using WiFi in your home all day to reduce radiation exposure, especially if you have children.
Wrapping It Up
WiFi can produce a dangerous amount of radiation that can cause certain cancers, miscarriages, male infertility, and other medical problems. Due to the growing health concerns related to WiFi usage, it’s more important to consider taking action to reduce your EMF radiation exposure at home.
If you can’t switch to wired internet, you can turn off your WiFi at night and use a router guard to lower your exposure levels during the day. These simple steps can make a huge difference in your life when it comes to keeping your home safe for you and your family. Now you know why you should turn off your WiFi and how to do it manually or via a timer.
