Lead-based paint was banned in 1978, but houses built before then probably still contain leaded paint. Children, particularly under the age of six, are most at risk from even small amounts of lead, and the damage can be permanent. But there are things you can do to protect kids. Read on to learn more about the symptoms and causes of lead poisoning, how to help prevent it, and laws about having children screened.
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What can child-care providers do to help?
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Keep an up-to-date list of the 12-month and 24-month lead levels of the children in your care. Remind parents or guardians when it is time to get another screening done.
If you do not have the test results for a child, or if a lead screening was never done on a child, you can assist the parent or guardian with this process. Download the Documentation of Lead Screening Form, give it to the parent or guardian, and request that they contact the child’s health-care provider to obtain the information, and then return the results to you within two weeks.
What Family Child Care Providers Can Do About Lead (pdf)
National Center for Healthy Housing
List of Items Recalled Due to Lead
(includes toys, jewelry, furniture, clothing, crafts, etc..)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Keep any areas where young children are cared for free of lead dust.
- Make sure the children wash their hands frequently.
- Keep play areas clean; wash bottles, pacifiers, toys, and stuffed animals regularly.
- Make children and adults take off their shoes when entering the day care. Lead dust can be tracked in on the bottoms of your shoes.
- Wet mop any surfaces that young children come into contact with at least once a week.
Diet is an important part of keeping children safe from lead poisoning.
- Help keep children healthy by making sure they eat foods high in calcium (milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.), iron (green leafy vegetables, eggs, red meats, and beans), and low-fat foods, since a healthy diet helps the body absorb less lead.
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