Belly Matas: For the sake of the children.

Don't smoke and don't let others smoke in your home or car.
Keep your home as clean as possible. Dust, mold, certain household pests, secondhand smoke, and pet dander can trigger asthma attacks and allergies.
Limit outdoor activity on ozone alert days when air pollution is especially harmful.
Walk, use bicycles, join or form carpools, and take public transportation.
Limit motor vehicle idling.
Avoid open burning.

Get kids tested for lead by their doctor or health care provider.
Test your home for lead paint hazards if it was built before 1978.
Wash children's hands before they eat; wash bottles, pacifiers, and toys often.
Wash floors and window sills to protect kids from dust and peeling paint contaminated with lead - especially in older homes.
Run cold water until it becomes as cold as it can get. Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula.

Store food and trash in closed containers to keep pests from coming into your home.
Use baits and traps when you can; place baits and traps where kids can't get them.
Read product labels and follow directions.
Store pesticides and toxic chemicals where kids can't reach them - never put them in other containers that kids can mistake for food or drink.
Keep children, toys, and pets away when pesticides are applied; don't let them play in fields, orchards, and gardens after pesticides have been used for at least the time recommended on the pesticide label.
Wash fruits and vegetables under running water before eating - peel them before eating, when possible.

Have fuel-burning appliances, furnace flues, and chimneys checked once a year.
Never use gas ovens or burners for heat; never use barbecues or grills indoors or in the garage.
Never sleep in rooms with unvented gas or kerosene space heaters.
Don't run cars or lawnmowers in the garage.
Install in sleeping areas a CO alarm that meets UL, IAS, or Canadian standards.

Belly Matas