Protecting Your Family From Lead-Based Paint Hazards

Table of Contents

If you find hazards in your home:

  • Do not panic!
  • If you rent, tell your landlord about the hazards that you find. Any hazards that are found must be fixed by a certified lead professional.
  • If you own, do NOT sand, scrape or remove any paint, walls, windows or plaster until you know how to do it safely. Call the Iowa Department of Public Health at 800-972-2026 to find out how to do this work safely or find a list of lead safe renovators.
  • Check also EPA’s website
  • Have all children under the age of six years tested for lead poisoning.
  • Supervise your children very carefully. Keep them away from areas where there is peeling and chipping paint.
  • Do not allow children to chew on painted surfaces such as window sills, stair rails, furniture, jewelry or toys.
  • Do not allow children to put paint chips or soil in their mouths.
  • Weekly, clean floors, baseboards and window sills where small children play. Wash woodwork and painted surfaces with warm water and a general all-purpose cleaner. Remember: Never mix ammonia and bleach together since they form a dangerous gas.
  • Wash toys, pacifiers and bottles that children drop on the floor.
  • Wash children’s hands often, especially before they eat.
  • Pick up paint chips that you see on the floor, inside windows or in other places where your children play. Put the paint chips in a garbage bag and dispose of them in the landfill with your regular garbage.
  • Do not let children play outside in areas where there are paint chips on the ground. Pick up as many of the paint chips as you can. Cover the soil in these areas by seeding grass, laying sod, planting some shrubs or covering with mulch.