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Pound for pound children breathe more air, drink more water and consume more food than adults. As such, children are at greater risk. There are many things that you can do to protect children at home and at school. Here are some suggestions:
- Protect children from lead-based paint hazards by cleaning floors, window sills, and other surfaces where kids play at least once a week using a cloth, warm water and detergent. Wash children's hands, pacifiers, bottles and toys often, especially before meals, bed or nap time.
- Reduce asthma triggers by removing dust, mold and pet dander from your home.
- Don't smoke or allow others to smoke in your home or car.
- Limit outdoor activity on Ozone Alert days, as ground level ozone can produce nausea, coughing, congestion and aggravate asthma and bronchitis.
- Have your home tested for radon, an odorless, colorless gas that can lead to lung cancer.
- Keep anti-freeze and household cleaners out of the reach of children.
- Don't let cars, motorcycles and lawnmowers idle. Idling engines contribute needless pollution.
- Encourage your school to join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Clean Bus USA program to reduce exposure to harmful diesel emissions.
- Install carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in your home.
- Prevent mold by promptly fixing plumbing and other water problems.
For more information on Clean School Bus USA go to:
www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus/antiidling.htm.
For more information on lead based paint hazards visit: www.epa.gov/lead.
For more information on asthma go to: www.epa.gov/iaq/asthma/index.html.
Childproofing: Protect Your Family's Breathable Air: Created on October 18th, 2006. Last Modified on January 21st, 2014
