Skip to Main Content

Three No-Cost Ways to Protect Your Family from Lead

Date: 10/13/25

Lead is a toxic heavy metal. Before it was widely known to be harmful, lead was used in building materials. Lead can be found in peeling paint, pipes, and soil around homes built before 1978. Adults exposed to lead may develop health issues like high blood pressure, nerve disorders, and reproductive problems in both men and women. During pregnancy, lead increases the risk of miscarriage and can cause babies to be born too small. In babies and children, even low levels of lead can damage the brain and slow growth. Lead poisoning can also cause lifelong problems with learning, behavior, speech and hearing.

Take steps to lower your family’s risk of lead exposure.

If you live in a home built before 1978, there are many ways you can protect your family. Below are three no-cost tips for making your home safer:

1. Get children screened early.

When you take your child for a well visit between six months and six years old, their doctor will screen them for lead. It’s done with a simple blood test. If you have Medicaid, the visit and the screening both are covered, at no cost to you. The results will tell you if your child is at risk. If so, the Louisiana Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program will contact you. They can share resources to help you keep your child healthy and safe from lead at home.

2.  Wash hands and toys often.

Children can absorb more lead into their bodies than adults. The risk of lead poisoning is higher for babies and young children because they put their hands and toys in their mouths. Wash your child’s hands and toys often to remove lead dust. Pregnant women should also wash their hands throughout the day and before eating.

3. Keep your home clean and free of dust.

Lead dust is dangerous because it is easy to breathe in. It is also easy to transfer from your hands to your mouth. Keep lead dust out of your home by:

  • Cleaning often, especially where children play. Mop floors, vacuum carpets and soft furniture, and dust hard surfaces weekly.
  • Leaving shoes at the door. Dirt, lead dust, chemicals, and germs can hitch a ride on the bottom of your shoes. Taking off your outside shoes keeps you from tracking them through your house.
  • Checking around your home for loose paint chips. Throw away any chips you find right away. Make sure your child does not chew or pick at walls and other painted surfaces, like window and door frames.

You can find more tips on keeping your family safe from lead by visiting the Louisiana Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program’s website.