Make sure your children do not chew on painted surfaces, such as toys or window sills.Report chipped or cracked paint to your landlord if you live in an older home built before 1978ver paint that is peeling or chipping with duct tape until it can be removed. Ask your doctor to test your young children for lead even if they seem healthy. Children's necklaces and bracelets, adult watches, as well as religious jewelry from Mexico, have been found to contain lead. Keys frequently have small amounts of lead in them “ do not let babies play with or teethe on your keychain.Run the faucet for a few minutes before using cold water for cooking, drinking or preparing infant formula (this can help flush out the lead which can build up in sitting water), especially if the cold water hasn't been used in the past two hours.Avoid eating foods that are canned outside the United States.Traces of lead have been found in some candy and its packaging imported from Mexico containing chili or tamarind.Folk medicines (especially home remedies) imported from another country also contain lead. These include: pay-loo-ah (fever and rash treatment); azarcon (also called Maria Luisa, Liga, Alarzon, Greta, Coral and Rueda); Asian folk remedies, including Ghasard, Bali Goli and Kandu; and Middle Eastern folk remedies, including farouk and bint al zahab.

Call California Poison Control System at 1-800-222-1222 for more information on lead poisoning.  Trained certified pharmacists, nurses and poison information providers to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  The service is free, confidential and interpreters are always available.  

SOURCE California Poison Control System