Cleaning considerations in order to reduce lead exposure

►Always check the integrity of the paint used in the home, no chipping, or peeling 

►Seal lead painted areas 

►Maintain a clean home 

►Always clean with a mop or damp cloth, to ensure lead dust is removed from surfaces (At least weekly, if not more often) 

►Steam clean rugs and upholstery  

►Only use a vacuum when there is no visible debris in the home and the vacuum is equipped with a HEPA filter 

►Always use a soft, damp cloth to clean wall and other painted surfaces, do not use excessive force or rubbing.  

►Wipe down all surfaces, whether they are painted or not  

►Wipe down children's toys especially often 

►Remove shoes when entering the home 

 

Lead is not the only hazard that may exist within homes impacting you or your family's health.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, "Healthy Homes" is a century-old concept that promotes safe, decent, and sanitary housing as a means for preventing disease and injury.

So what can you do?

Fortunately there are some really simple ways to help make your home a healthier place for you and your family. By following the Eight Healthy Homes Principles below, you can help make your home a healthier place to live in.

 

Follow the Eight Healthy Homes Principles:

1. Keep it Dry

Prevent water from entering your home through leaks in roofing systems, rain water from entering the home due to poor drainage, and check your interior plumbing for any leaking.

2. Keep it Clean

Control the source of dust and contaminants, creating smooth and cleanable surfaces, reducing clutter, and using effective wet-cleaning methods.

3. Keep it Safe

Store poisons out of the reach of children and properly label. Secure loose rugs and keep children's play areas free from hard or sharp surfaces. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and keep fire extinguishers on hand.

4. Keep it Well-Ventilated

Ventilate bathrooms and kitchens and use whole house ventilation for supplying fresh air to reduce the concentration of contaminants in the home.

5. Keep it Pest-free

All pests look for food, water and shelter. Seal cracks and openings throughout the home; store food in pest-resistant containers. If needed, use sticky-traps and baits in closed containers, along with least toxic pesticides such as boric acid powder.

6. Keep it Contaminant-free

Reduce lead-related hazards in pre-1978 homes by fixing deteriorated paint, and keeping floors and window areas clean using wet-cleaning approach. Test your home for radon, a naturally occurring dangerous gas that enters homes through soil, crawlspaces, and foundation crack. Install a radon removal system if levels above the EPA action-level are detected.

7. Keep your home Maintained

Inspect, clean and repair your home routinely. Take care of minor repairs and problems before they become large repairs and problems.

8. Thermally Controlled

Houses that do not maintain adequate temperatures may place the safety of residents at increased risk from exposure to extreme cold or heat.

 

CLICK HERE to see more resources for making homes healthier for families.