When a child insists there is a monster under her bed or in his closet, one of the first things the parent will do is to walk to the closet or bed and prove to the child that there is no terrible monster lurking. Naturally, when focusing your search on a large, green multi-eyeballed creature with long teeth, you'll most likely end up empty handed. But can you guarantee your child that there is no large green monster behind his wall or under her carpet? No, not a literal monster, but a mold infestation with a possibility of being toxic.

The only way to really rest assured in the knowledge that your kids are tucked away in a safe environment is to hire a mold inspector to examine your home for hidden mold. Mold inspections are lengthy, comprehensive examinations by professionals who can recognize the signs of a mold colony within your home-even if it is hiding beneath the carpet under the bed.

Preparing for the Inspection - During a mold inspection, you will need to be present while your contractor examines your home. There are a few ground rules you should keep in mind:

1. Any pets that you have should be secured so your inspector has free range within your home.
2. Clear away furniture that blocks crawl spaces, attic or cellar doors.
3. Make sure areas with plumbing are accessible.
4. Set aside enough time in your schedule to allow for a full inspection.
5. Be prepared for your inspector to poke and prod. He or she may need to access closed-off areas and examine behind furniture, shelves, and headboards. By making sure you are ready for anything, you allow your inspector the freedom and time needed to complete a thorough investigation.

What to Expect - Your mold inspector may look a bit like a mad scientist with all the equipment he or she brings to inspect your home with. Each of the instruments he or she brings is vital to the process and your inspector's expertise with them can be the one thing that keeps your family safe from toxic mold. These instruments also allow the inspector to look for hidden mold without ruining your furniture, walls or floor. Some of the tools your mold inspector may use include:

1. Borescope: A borescope is a lens attached to a tube with an eyepiece on the other end of the tube. This allows your mold inspector to place the lens portion of the borescope into a wall or under a floor and "see" any mold that might be hiding there.
2. Moisture meter: The moisture meter can indicate to your inspector that there is a leak or moisture deposit in an area not easily seen within your home. By detecting the moisture, your inspector can find or prevent a mold problem.
3. Laser particle scanner: A laser particle scanner scans for mold particles in the air so your ceiling doesn't have to be torn apart in order to find possible mold infestations resulting from a leaky roof.

If you see mold in your home, or if anyone in your family begins to develop sinus problems, asthma symptoms, or other respiratory and allergy problems that they haven't experienced before, contact your local mold inspection contractor to test your home. Even if you haven't noticed any visual evidence of mold in your home, it is better to be safe. Regular inspections can ensure that your family does not let mold grow unchecked for long enough to cause any physical damage or discomfort.