Check your home for lead dangers!

Recent news on how lead can trigger ADHD made me revisit some child-and-home safety sites for tips on how to lessen exposure to this neurotoxin. The use of lead has been greatly reduced since the 1960s, but it still lurks silently in some unexpected places.

I’m going to be more vigilant for my kids’ sake — starting at home. Read more to see what I’ve gathered from the experts on how to protect our children from lead in everyday objects.

Consumer Reports was a great resource for lead safety measures. Here are some valuable advice from them that I organized into do’s and don’ts:

Do’s

• Store toys in a clean place off the floor and wash them frequently to remove any accumulated dust or dirt that may contain lead.
• Sort through the toy box periodically to discard items with chipped paint, deteriorated plastic, or other broken or damaged parts.
• Make sure arts and crafts items you buy for your children are nontoxic. Lead has been banned from paint, including children’s paints, but artist’s paints and ceramic glazes for adult use are exempt from the ban and can contain lead and other toxic heavy metals.

Don’ts

• Avoid vintage toys and antique furniture that may have been painted with older lead-based paint. If an item is a keepsake or collectible, put it away until your child is older.
• Do not buy jewelry for young children. Not only have millions of pieces been recalled for excessive lead content, but such jewelry can also pose a choking hazard.
• Don’t allow babies to play with or chew on your keys because metal keys have been identified as potential sources of lead exposure.

Doctors also say, kids who take in adequate amounts of iron and calcium absorb less lead. Looking out for lead exposure also means checking recall lists regularly. Products found to have high lead content are usually included in these lists. Take heed so you don’t unknowingly bring them into your own lead-free home!

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