This week is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, with a theme, “Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future.”  There are many ways parents can reduce a child’s exposure to lead and prevent its serious health effects.

The Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan and the City of GR want to get the word out about family safety, and funding for safely removing lead-based paint from homes.

 

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As for child and family safety, first, you should get your child a lead test. As a matter of fact, children should be tested until the age of five, and especially at one and two years of age, so check with your doctor. Medicaid and insurance pays for the lead test.

Make sure your home is safe.
1. Lead dust is invisible and can get on your child’s hands and toys.
2. Chipping and peeling paint can poison children.
3. Don’t let your child play in bare soil.

In Grand Rapids, the Get the Lead Out! program helps to protect children from lead poisoning. Through this program, there is financial help available to safely remove lead from your home. To be considered for current funding, applications must be received by Dec. 1, 2014. Learn more about the opportunity at GetTheLeadOutGR.org

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