What You Can Do To Protect Your Family From Lead Paint

If you suspect that your house has lead hazards, you can take some immediate steps to reduce your family's risk:

• Get your young children tested for lead, even if they seem healthy. 
• Make sure children eat healthy, low-fat foods. 
• Get your home checked for lead hazards. 
• If you rent, talk to your landlord about fixing surfaces with peeling or chipping paint. 
• Take precautions to avoid exposure to lead dust when remodeling or renovating (call 1-800-424- LEAD for guidelines). 
• Don't use a belt-sander, propane torch, dry scraper, or dry sandpaper on painted surfaces that may contain lead. 
• Don't try to remove lead-based paint yourself. 
• Clean up paint chips immediately. 
• Clean floors, window frames, window sills, and other surfaces weekly.  Use a mop or sponge with warm water and a general all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for lead.  REMEMBER: NEVER MIX AMMONIA AND BLEACH PRODUCTS TOGETHER SINCE THEY CAN FORM A DANGEROUS GAS. 
• Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads after cleaning dirty or dusty areas. 
• Wash children's hands often, especially before they eat and before nap time and bed time. 
• Keep play areas clean.  Wash bottles, pacifiers, toys, and stuffed animals regularly
• Keep children from chewing window sills or other painted surfaces. 
• Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from soil. 
• Make sure children eat nutritious, low-fat meals high in iron and calcium, such as spinach and low-fat dairy products.  Children with good diets absorb less lead.