Lead Poisoning – How Safe is Your Child and Home?

More than half a million U.S. children are believed to have lead poisoning.
A child can have lead poisoning and not look or act sick. Lead hurts a child’s brain and causes problems that can’t be reversed.

9 Tips on Keeping your Family Lead-Safe

1.) Think better. Lead poisoning can make it hard for children to think, pay attention, and behave. Get a blood lead test for your child at 1 and 2 years of age.

2.) This Old House? Paint used in houses built prior to 1978 is likely to contain lead. Keep the paint intact and make sure to learn about lead-safe work practices before working on the home.

3.) Get the Lead Out – Tidy Up! Soil and dust spread lead. Wet-mop floors, wet wipe windowsills, vacuum, dust and wash surfaces often.

4.) Clean Up that Fun. Give the kid’s toys a bath – toys collect dust and dirt that often contain lead.

5.) Don’t Bring Your Work Home. If you work in painting, remodeling, or auto repair, you might be working with lead. Change clothes before going home.

6.) Sweet Tooth for Mexican Candy? Avoid tamarind and chili flavors for kids and pregnant women, they may have lead.

7.) Easy on the Bling. Some children’s jewelry may contain lead. Wash your child’s hands often and make sure to keep it out of kid’s mouths.

8.) Home Fix-Up Projects that Expose Old Paint Can Create Toxic Dust. Take steps to prevent dust from entering living areas and don’t track in dust. Learn about lead-safe work practices or hire a lead-certified contractor.

9.) Well Fed = Less Lead. Feed your child foods with calcium, iron and Vitamin C to help them absorb less lead.

Source: California Poison Control