Lead Alert! Is your child lead free?

All children under 6 years of age may be at risk for lead poisoning. Most children who have lead poisoning don’t look or act sick. The longer and the more lead children have in their blood, the sicker they may be. Lead poisoning causes problems with a child’s behavior, growth and learning. A child could die if there is too much lead in their blood.

The best way to find if your child has lead poisoning is to have him or her tested. The test is called “Lead Screening”. This test can tell the doctor how much lead is in your child’s blood. It is recommended for:

• Children before 1 year and 2 years of age
• Children who live in or regularly visit a home built before 1950.
• Children or other family members who have been exposed to high level of lead
• Children up to age 6, if they have not had a blood lead test.

Here are some tips to protect your child from lead:

• Wash your child’s hands and face often. This is important before they eat to remove lead, dust or dirt that could get into their mouths.
• Wash your child’s toys often, especially toys that babies put in their mouths.
• Store food from opened cans in glass or plastic containers.
• Keep your child away from buildings that are being remodeled
• Make sure your child eats regularly. Certain foods can help. Give your child meat, beans, peanut butter, milk, green vegetables and cheese.
• Check walls, windows and floors for peeling paint. Have these fixed as soon as possible.
• Test your child for lead.

Remember your child needs to be tested by his or her doctor for lead before age 1 and age 2. Gateway covers the test. If you need help to schedule an appointment, please call the Preventive Health Department at 1-800-642-3550 option # 4.