Rosh Pinah Lead Care

Lead safety for your family

Lead is dangerous, especially for children and pregnant women. It can harm children’s brain development, causing learning and behavior problems that can last a lifetime. Follow these simple steps to protect your family, whether you live in a house, shack, or informal home.

Keep children safe from lead

Lead is often found in soil, dirt, and dust. To reduce exposure:

Cover bare soil with grass, plants, or natural materials like wood chips or sand.
If covering the soil isn’t possible, limit where children play. Fence off or mark a smaller area for play that’s easier to keep clean.
Wash outdoor toys and play equipment regularly.
Wash children’s hands after they play outside or touch pets. Keep their fingernails short and clean with a small brush.
Repair peeling paint on walls, fences, or sheds, as old paint can contain lead.

For homes with no floors or ceilings:

Cover dirt floors with plastic sheets, rugs, or old blankets to keep dust down.
Hang fabric or plastic sheeting as a temporary ceiling to stop dust from falling.
Use damp cloths to clean walls and surfaces. Avoid sweeping dirt, as it stirs up dust.

Tips for pregnant women

If you are pregnant or planning to have a baby, it’s important to reduce lead exposure:

Ask your clinic to check your blood for lead during your first prenatal visit.
Eat healthy foods to lower how much lead your body absorbs:
- Calcium: Milk, yogurt, cheese.
- Iron: Meat, fish, eggs, and green vegetables.
- Vitamin C: Oranges, tomatoes, and peppers (helps the body absorb iron).
Keep your home as free from dust and dirt as possible.

If you work with lead or in a mine, change out of work clothes and wash before coming home.

Protecting babies from lead

Babies can come into contact with lead through dust, dirt, or even adults’ clothing. Here’s how to keep them safe:

Wash pacifiers, bottles, and teething toys regularly. Keep pacifiers pinned to their clothes.
Lay a clean blanket or sheet on the ground when babies crawl or play outside.
Wash your hands before feeding or handling your baby.
If you’ve been working or handling dirty soil, change clothes and clean up before holding your baby.

Keep your home lead-free

Lead dust can settle everywhere, especially on floors and surfaces. Cleaning carefully can make your home safer:

Use a damp cloth to wipe furniture, toys, and surfaces instead of dry dusting.
Mop floors with water rather than sweeping.
Wash windows, doors, and verandas with a wet cloth after dusty or windy days.
Leave shoes outside and use a doormat to avoid tracking in dirt.

Growing food safely

If you’re growing fruits or vegetables:

Use raised beds with clean soil.
Wash all produce before eating.
Wear gloves while gardening and leave them outside when done.
Remove shoes before going indoors to avoid bringing in dirt.

Healthy eating

Eating the right foods can help protect you and your family from lead:

Calcium: Found in dairy products like milk and cheese.
Iron: Found in meat, chicken, eggs, and leafy greens.
Fiber: Found in fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain bread.
Vitamin C: Found in oranges, tomatoes, and peppers (helps absorb iron).

Extra tips for informal homes

For people living in shacks or homes without proper flooring or ceilings:

Cover the ground with plastic sheeting, old fabric, or carpets to reduce dust.
Hang cloth or plastic to create a ceiling and stop falling dust.
Keep children off the ground by using a clean blanket or sheet when they play or sit.

By following these steps, you can reduce the risk of lead exposure and keep your family safe and healthy.