LEAD POISONING PREVENTION

Parents, protect your child from lead poisoning. Get your children under age 6 tested for lead.

Lead poisoning can be caused by lead-based paints in houses built before 1978. Dust or chips from paint inside and outside older homes may be dangerous for your child.

Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, mental retardation, and other serious health problems. Young children are most likely to be harmed by lead. A blood test is the only way to know if your child has high lead -they won't look or act sick.

To get your child tested for lead poisoning, call your doctor, or get a free test at:

• The Health Department
  414 E. Main Street
  Durham, NC
  (919) 560-7700

• Lincoln Community Health
  1301 Fayetteville Road
  Durham, NC
  (919) 956-4000

What parents can do:

• Make sure your child has a healthy diet. Include nutritious foods high in iron and calcium (dairy products, beans, meats, fruits and vegetables) for meals and snacks

• Keep your house clean. Wash window sills and floors with warm water and detergent regularly. Wash pacifiers, bottles, toys, and stuffed animals if they fall on the floor.

• Don't remove old paint by dry scraping or sanding. Spray water first to wet the paint.

• Check vinyl mini-blinds for lead. The package should say if the blinds are lead-free.

• Do not use imported traditional medicines that contain lead (like Azarcon and Greta).

• Do not use imported ceramic dishes for food unless you know they do not contain lead.

KIDS! This is what you can I do to help!

• Wash your hands before you eat and after you play.

• Stay away from peeling paint.

• Take off your shoes when you come in the house and leave them by the door.

For more information about lead poisoning, call your doctor or the Health Department at (919) 560-7600 or Susan Perez-Travers at DAHC (919) 683-1185 ext. 26.