Just as you buckle up your children every time you get in a car, there are dozens of ways to protect children from environmental health threats. Honor your commitment to this generation of young people by using these simple EcoLogical Solutions...

Help children breathe easier

• Keep tobacco smoke away from your children. Call 1-800-PARENTS for tips to help you quit smoking.
• Because of the connection between automobile emissions and children's respiratory health, take steps to minimize your driving by walking, biking, or carpooling.
• Manage your trash responsibly. Backyard burning is not only illegal, it can cause permanent illness.
• Keep your home clean. Dust, mold, and pet dander can trigger asthma attacks and allergies.

Protect children from lead and mercury poisoning

• Wash children's hands before they eat, and wash bottles, pacifiers, and toys often.
• If your home was built before 1978, assume it contains lead paint. Have a doctor check the blood lead levels of children living in your home.
• Repair deteriorating paint and wash floors and windowsills to protect children from paint dust and chips contaminated with lead -- especially from windowsills in older homes.
• Run cold tap water two minutes before using to flush lead from copper pipes joined with lead solder.
• Do not clean up household mercury spills (as with a broken fever thermometer) with a vacuum cleaner. For help, call the Agency of Natural Resources' Mercury Education & Reduction Campaign at 1-800-974-9559.

Protect children from carbon monoxide poisoning

• Have fuel-burning appliances, furnace flues, and chimneys checked once a year.
• Never use gas ovens or burners for heat, and never use barbecue grills indoors or in your garage.
• Never sleep in rooms with unvented gas or kerosene space heaters.
• Don't store gasoline or run cars or lawnmowers in attached garages.
• Install UL-approved carbon monoxide detectors in the hallway outside sleeping areas.

Keep pesticides and other toxic chemicals away from children

• Avoid using toxic pesticides; affordable non-toxic alternatives exist.
• Read product labels and follow all directions carefully.
• Use bait and traps instead of bug sprays. Place the bait and traps where children can't touch them.
• Store pesticides and toxic cleaning supplies where children can't reach them, and never use containers that children might mistake for those holding food or drink.
• Learn how you can make effective non-toxic cleaners using common household ingredients such as vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda.
• Keep children, their toys, and their pets away when using pesticides.
• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating. Peel them when possible.
• Post the emergency phone number for the Vermont Poison Center near your telephone. For emergency help in the event of an accidental poisoning, you can call the Center toll-free at 1-877-658-3456.

Protect children from too much sun

• Help children avoid skin cancer by having them wear hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing.
• Use sunscreen (SPF 15 or more) on children older than six months of age, and protect infants from exposure to intense sunlight.

Safeguard children from high levels of radon

• Test your home for radon with a home test kit available free of charge by calling the Health Department at 1-800-439-8550.

Protect children from contaminated fish and polluted water

• Call your town health officer about beach closings and the Health Department to learn about advisories for limiting the amount of fish to be eaten (or visit the Department's website at http://www.state.vt.us/health/fish.htm).
• Take used motor oil to a recycling center for re-refinement and properly dispose of toxic household chemicals using municipal collection programs.
• Find out what's in your drinking water by calling the manager of your local public water system for the annual drinking water quality report.
• If you maintain a private water supply, have it tested annually for contamination. If you are pregnant or have a child under six months of age, test for nitrates and nitrites. To order water testing kits, call 1-800-660-9997.

To learn more about simple ways you can safeguard the health of your family and protect Vermont's environment, visit the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources' EcoLogical Solutions website at http://www.vteco.com or call 1-800-974-9559 to request the EcoLogical Solutions brochures.

 

Download and print an environmental health tips poster!

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