Ten Things You Can Do To “Get The Lead Out”

Have your child tested for lead with a blood test during a regular pediatric visit. Children should be tested at about 12 months of age and again at 24 months. High risk children should be tested every 6 months until 2 years of age and then each year until age 6. Record results of tests.
Wash children’s hands after play, before eating, and before bed. Wash their toys, pacifiers and other objects they put in their mouths.
Use only lead-free ceramics for cooking or storing food. Pottery from foreign countries often contains lead.
Feed your child 3 meals a day with foods high in calcium (milk, cheese, yogurt) and iron (lean meat, beans, eggs) and give them healthy snacks.
Use only cold water from the cold water tap for cooking or for making baby formula. Run water from the cold water tap until the temperature changes (about 1 minute).
Once a week, use detergent to wet mop floors, window sills, furniture or other surfaces that may contain lead in dust.
If your home was built before 1978, Test your home for lead before renovating or repairing. Never sand blast paint.
Keep your child away from peeling, chipping paint.
Plant shrubs, grass, or other ground cover on bare soil you suspect may contain lead.
Recycle spent rechargeable batteries.

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