Protecting Children From Lead Poisoning

Children and pregnant women living in older homes with chipping, flaking, and peeling paint are at the greatest risk for lead poisoning. Lead-based paint in older homes is the most common source of lead exposure. Children can also be exposed to lead through toys, water, and many other sources.

Protect your family by following these tips:

• Keep your child away from paint chips and lead dust.
• Damp mop floors and wet wipe surfaces often.
• Wet wipe the window sills and the inside area of the windows.
• Only use a vacuum with a HEPA filer.
• Wash your child’s hands often, especially before eating and napping.
• Wash toys often (especially teething toys).
• Use cold water for cooking and mixing formula.
• Feed your children a healthy diet rich in iron, vitamin C, and calcium.
• Use only lead-free dishes.
• Search the list of products that have been recalled due to lead hazards.

When repair work or repainting is planned:

• Make sure lead-safe work practices are followed.
• Keep pregnant women and children away from where work is being done.

If you work in construction, plumbing, painting, or another job where you may come into contact with lead:

• Change work clothing and take work shoes off before going into your home.
• Wash work clothes alone (not with other clothes).
• Get trained to be Lead-Safe Certified.

Learn more about making your home healthy!

Available in: Arabic | English Captioned and ASL | French | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese

For more information visit our resources page or call us at 315.435.3271.