What can I do to prevent my child's exposure to lead?
Take these steps to reduce your child’s exposure to lead in your home/environment:
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Keep your child away from painting and repair work that disturbs paint, and make sure no paint chips or dust remain in the work area before your child enters.
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Pay attention to peeling paint: report it to your landlord if you’re a tenant so that repairs will get made (and call code enforcement or legal aid if there’s no response); and repair it safely if you’re a homeowner.
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Wash your child’s hands, toys, bottles, pacifiers, and any other items your child often puts in his or her mouth.
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Regularly clean floors, windowsills, and dusty places with wet mops or wet cloths to pick up any dust.
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Use only cold tap water for making baby formula, drinking and cooking. Let the water run for a few minutes first.
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Avoid using products from other countries such as: health remedies, eye cosmetics (i.e., kohl, kajal, surma), candies, spices, snack foods, clay pots and dishes, painted toys, and children’s jewelry. These items may contain high levels of lead.
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Remove shoes before entering your home.
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Any household member who does construction work or other work that may involve lead should remove work clothes before entering; wash them separately.
For more information regarding understanding your child's blood lead level, click here.
For more information regarding lead in toys, click here.
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