Get lead-smart.
The lead-paint era ended in 1978. Lead pigment on dishes never really stopped, and whether your house has a lead water service line depends on when it was built. Once you know what is actually in your house, a vague worry turns into a 30-second test.
01
What "lead-smart" means here.
It means figuring out which sources are actually in your place, which one to test first, and what to do if the test comes back positive. That is what the site is for.
1
Know the era of your house.
Pre-1978 = lead paint likely. Pre-1986 = lead service line likely. Pre-1990s = decorated dishes likely lead pigment.
2
Know your kid's age window.
Hand-to-mouth peaks at 18-30 months. The IRL math is tightest in that window.
3
Know the test.
One drop. 30 seconds. UV light. The kit pays for itself the first time it catches anything.
02
Where to start, by situation.
1
New parent.
/baby + /babyfood + /baby-proof.
2
Old house owner.
3
Born before 1980.
4
Grandparent.
/grandkid-edge-advertorial + a kit in the silverware drawer.