Old lead paint in homes built before 1978 can break down into dust. The lead dust clings to toys, fingers, and other things that children put into their mouths. Children can get lead poisoning when lead dust is the size of three grains of sugar and gets into your child every day for just 30 days. For more information, go to www.epa.gov.

If your home was built before 1978, use soap and water to clean up lead dust with a mop or sponge. Use that mop or sponge only for lead cleaning. Do not let anyone who is pregnant clean up lead dust. Clean your baby’s hands, toys, and your home often. Wash your baby’s hands before and after eating and sleeping. Every day wash anything like pacifiers or chew toys that your baby puts in his mouth. Each week wash stuffed toys.