Protecting
Children's Health

y Tips to keep your family healthy and safe!

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Protecting Children During The COVID-19
Pandemic

One way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is to maintain a healthy indoor environment.

Visit: www.epa.gov/coronayirus

~	Prevent Poisoning

Store pesticides and other household chemicals where your children can't reach them, and

never put them in other containers that kids can mistake for food or drink.

Visit: www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/reduce-your-childs-chances-pesticide-poisoning

~	Find Safer Choice Products

Find products that meet the Safer Choice criteria for children, school staff, and the environment.
When you see a product with the Safer Choice label, it means that every ingredient in the prod-
uct has been evaluated by EPA scientists.

Visit: www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-10/documents/saferchoice-fact-
sheet-schools.pdf

~	Get Your Child Tested for Lead

Have your child tested for lead by your health care provider or your local health department.
Visit: www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-famiiy-exposures-lead#protect

~	Protect Children from Lead-Based Paint

If you live in a home built before 1978, use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved

training providers and follow lead-safe work practices.

Visit: www.epa.gov/lead/iead-renovation-repair-and-painting-program

~	Reduce Risks from Lead in Drinking Water

Run water until it becomes cold. Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and making formula.
Visit: www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-informa-
tion-about-lead-drinking-water#reducehome

Test drinking water in schools and child care centers to identify potential lead problems.

Visit: www.epa.gov/safewater/3Ts

~	Protect Children from Lead in Soil

Lead in soil can be ingested as a result of hand-to-mouth activity that is common for young
children—remember to wash your child's hands after they come in from playing outside.

Visit: www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-exposures-lead#soil

~	Eliminate Asthma Triggers

Learn what triggers your child's asthma. Common triggers are cockroaches, pet dander, dust
mites, mold, and secondhand smoke. Work with a health professional to develop an asthma
action plan.

Visit: www.epa.gov/asthma

~	Don't Smoke Around Children

Until you quit, choose to smoke outside. Do not smoke in your home or car and do not allow
family and visitors to do so.

Visit: www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quaiity-iaq/secondhand-smoke-and-smoke-free-homes

~	Keep Your Home Pest-Free

Pests need food, water, and shelter just like we do. To keep pests in check, get rid of clutter,

empty garbage cans often, fix leaks, and keep food in tightly sealed containers.

Visit: www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/integrated-pest-management-ipm-principles

~	Protect Children from Mold

The key to mold control is moisture control. If moid is a problem in your home or school, clean
up the mold and get rid of the excess water or moisture. Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of
water.

Visit: www.epa.gov/mold

~	Protect Your Children from Carbon Monoxide
Poisoning

Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune up your central heating system—furnaces,
flues, and chimneys—annually.

Visit: www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/carbon-monoxides-impact-indoor-air-quality

~	Test Your Home for Radon

Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you can't see, smell, or taste. Test your
home or school for radon. EPA recommends you fix your home if the radon level is 4 pCi/L
higher.

Visit: www.epa.gov/radon

~	Reduce Mercury Exposure

Replace mercury thermometers with digital thermometers. If you break a mercury thermometer,

keep children away, and follow clean-up instructions.

Visit: www.epa.gov/mercury/what-do-if-mercury-thermometer-breaks

~	Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables Safely

Wash and scrub fruits and vegetables under cold running water.

Visit: www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/pesticides-and-food-healthy-sensible-food-practices

~	Reduce Exposure to Air Pollution

Find out when outdoor air pollution is high in your area at wwvy.AIRNow.gov. from newspapers,
TV, radio stations. Limit outside activities when the Air Quality Index rises to unhealthy levels.
Visit: www.airnow.gov

~	Spend Time Outdoors

Go on a walk, hike, bike ride, garden, spend time at the beach, etc. Find a new favorite outdoor
activity for your family to enjoy. Learn more about what you can do to be safe outdoors.

Visit: https://www.neefusa.org/resource/using-nature-and-outdoor-activity-im-
prove-childrens-health

~	Stay Safe from the Sun

Stay safe from the sun by generously applying sunscreen to children over six months and
dressing all children in protective clothing (wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and
sunglasses). Check the ultraviolet (UV) index and limit time outdoors when the UV index is high
and during the midday sun (between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.).

Visit: www.epa.gov/sunsafety/action-steps-sun-safety

Learn about children's environmental health at:

www.epa.gov/children


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