Crib Toy Safety Alert

Now is the time to remove crib toys that fit across the crib. When babies can push up on their hands and knees, sometime around 5 months of age, they can fall over a toy in the crib and not be able to get free. This could cause a baby to strangle.

Hooded shirts, toys, or anything with strings can also cause strangling, so keep these things away from your baby.

Prevent Lead Poisoning

Last month we talked about how tiny amounts of lead once found in paint can poison an infant. If your house was built before 1978, you could have a lead problem. Lead poisoning reduces memory, intelligence, ability to concentrate, and hearing.

The damage to a baby’s developing systems cannot be cured, but it can be prevented. Lead paint becomes a problem when it chips or turns to dust. It becomes dust when doors or windows rub while being opened and shut, when people walk over a painted floor, during remodeling, and as outdoor paint weathers. When your baby crawls, then puts her fingers in her mouth, she may be eating dust that contains lead.

Household repairs can also create lead dust. Find out how repairs can be made so your baby is not exposed to lead dust when repairing walls, windows, plumbing, or electrical lines.

If your baby spends time in any place built before 1978, ask your doctor, clinic, or public health nurse about a blood test that can determine if your baby has lead in her body. Look at last month’s cleaning tips. For advice and help in dealing with lead in your home, call your public health office or call (800) 424-LEAD. You can also check out this Web site: http://www.epa.gov/lead.