Do you have young children?

Environmental Risks Children are most affected. They are at risk from environmental exposures like lead, second hand smoke, and pesticides.

WHY? Their bodies are still developing. They breathe in more AIR and have a higher intake of LIQUIDS and FOODS than adults.

More Info For You Children are more likely to crawl on the ground or floor and put their hands in their mouths. Children have a longer life span than adults. Lots of exposure now will affect their mental and physical development.

What Can You Do? Learn as much as you can about environmental hazards and their effects on children. Inspect your home for environmental dangers and make it safe for your children.

Was your home or apartment built before 1978?

Environmental Risk Your child could be at risk of lead poisoning if there is a lead hazard in your home.

WHY? Lead-based paint is the most common source of environmental exposure. Lead dust can get on a child’s hands and into their mouths.

More on Lead Lead has serious impacts on young children. Lead slows a child’s brain development and causes learning and behavior problems. Lead dust from paint may settle on the ground where children play.

What Can You Do? Make sure your paint is in good condition. Clean around window sills and doors with a damp cloth. Wash hands often. Run water for 30 seconds before drinking. Ask your Doctor / Health Professional to screen your child’s blood for lead.

What Can You Do To Protect Your Child? Have children eat foods that are low fat. Have children eat foods that are high in calcium and iron such as greens, milk, meats, cheese, fruits, and other vegetables. Do not use hot tap water when preparing formula or food for your baby or child. Wash toys, pacifiers, bottles, and nipples often.

Are you remodeling a pre-1978 home?

Your child could be at risk of lead poisoning and asbestos exposure. Environmental Risk Your child could be at risk of lead poisoning and asbestos exposure.

WHY? Dust and disturbed paint may create a lead and/or asbestos hazard that is harmful to your child.

What Can You Do? Find out if your home has lead-based paint and /or asbestos. If so, hire certified (lead/asbestos) professionals to treat the hazards. Call 1-800-424-LEAD for guidelines. Ask your Doctor or Health Professional to screen your child for lead exposure.

Do you work or have hobbies involving lead, such as soldering, making lead shot or fishing weights?

Your child could be at risk of lead poisoning. Environmental Risks Your child could be at risk of lead poisoning.

WHY? Lead may get on your clothes or hands and be easily passed onto your children. Children may breathe in lead if they are nearby these activities.

What Can You Do? Wash your hands after you finish work. Change your clothes and shoes before you come home. Wash work clothes separately. Do not allow children near activities involving lead.

Is your water safe?

Your child could be at risk of lead exposure. Environmental Risk Your child could be at risk of lead exposure.

WHY? Water can be a risk because old pipes, solder, and fittings had lead in them. Lead is especially harmful to young children under six.

What Can You Do? Run drinking water 30 seconds before use. Test your water to see if there are high amounts of lead. Have your child screened by your Doctor/Health Professional.

Do you have mold or mildew in your home?

Environmental Risk Your child is at risk of being exposed to allergens that may trigger asthma.

WHY? Allergens may cause serious allergic reactions in children. The exposure may trigger asthma making it harder for child to breathe.

What Can You Do? Reduce humidity by improving air flow in your home. Repair source of water leaks in the home. Clean areas with mold and mildew using bleach and water. Have your Doctor or Health Professional screen your child for asthma.

Do you have pets?

Environmental Risk Your child is at risk of being exposed to asthma triggers and pesticides.

WHY? Pet fur and dander may trigger asthma. Also, your child may be exposed to pesticides from fleas sprays and dips.

What Can You Do? Follow directions when using flea treatments. Keep pets off of furniture. Clean frequently to remove pet fur and dander.

Does someone smoke in the home?

Environmental Risk Your child is at risk of being exposed to asthma triggers, ear infections, other respiratory conditions, and cancer.

WHY? Second hand smoke contains harmful substances given off by a lit cigarette, pipe, or cigar and smoke exhaled. Smoke remains for a long time and spreads throughout the home for hours. It may cause illnesses such as pneumonia, bronchitis, cancer, and trigger asthma attacks in children.

What Can You Do? Smoke outside away from children. Don’t let others smoke in your home.

Does someone smoke in the car?

Your child is at risk of being exposed to asthma triggers. Environmental Risk Your child is at risk of being exposed to asthma triggers.

WHY? Second hand smoke affects the breathing of young children. The space inside cars is confined and the tobacco smoke trapped there can be very harmful to children.

What Can You Do? Don’t smoke. Don’t smoke in the car.

Do you use pesticides or other chemicals around the home or yard?

Your child is at risk of being poisoned. Environmental Risk Your child is at risk of being poisoned.

WHY? Exposure to pesticides in kids may lead to brain and nerve damage and increase the risk of cancer. Many children are poisoned by drinking or touching pesticides or other chemicals.

What Can You Do? Do not use farm pesticides in the home! Take away food, water, and a place for pests to live. Caulk cracks, bait, and trap pests. Check to see if your pest control company is licensed. Choose the correct pesticide for the problem. Don’t use pesticides if you don’t need to. Try alternative methods.

More You Can Do! Store pesticides and other chemicals out of children’s reach in locked cabinets. Store pesticides and other chemicals in the original container. Follow instructions. Air out home after applying pesticides. Always have the poison control number by the phone. The number is (1-800) 282-5846.

And even more that you can do Don’t forget to wash fruits and vegetables under running water before eating.

Do you use household chemicals?

Your child is at risk of being poisoned. Environmental Risk Your child is at risk of being poisoned.

WHY? When not stored properly, chemicals are easily accessed by children. Household chemicals can be fatal to young children.

What Can You Do? Warn children of danger. Store all chemicals up and away from your child’s reach.

Have you tested your home for radon?

There is a risk of radon exposure for you and your child. Environmental Risk There is a risk of radon exposure for you and your child.

WHY? Radon is an invisible, radioactive gas that seeps into a building’s foundation and also may enter your home as a gas through well water. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.

What Can You Do? Test your home for radon with screening kits found at hardware stores. If levels are high call a local radon contractor.

Do you use combustion appliances such as gas or kerosene heaters?

There is a risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Environmental Risk There is a risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Why? Carbon monoxide poisoning kills many people every year. Carbon monoxide can result from non-electric heaters and furnaces in need of repair. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, and even death.

What Can You Do? Choose vented (pipe to outdoors) heaters and appliances. Make sure vent is not blocked and without holes or cracks. Have home furnace checked every year.

Do You Fish In Local Waters?

Environmental Risk You and your child could be exposed to PCBs, mercury, and other hazardous chemicals.

What Can You Do? Don’t fish in contaminated waters. Don’t eat fish in contaminated waters. Follow fish advisories for safe waters to fish. Call Department of Natural Resources (404) 656-4713 or http://www.ganet.org/dnr/environ/