Wash hands and toys; To help reduce the hand-to-mouth transfer of contaminated dust or soil, wash your children's hands after outdoor play, before eating, and at bedtime. Wash their toys regularly. Clean dusty surfaces; Clean your floors with a wet mop and wipe furniture, windowsills, and other dusty surfaces with a damp cloth. Remove shoes before entering the house; This will help keep lead-based soil outside. Run cold water; If you have older plumbing containing lead pipes or fittings, run your cold water for at least a minute before using. Don't use hot tap water to make baby formula or for cooking. Eat a healthy diet; Regular meals and good nutrition might help lower lead absorption. Children especially need enough calcium, vitamin C, and iron in their diets to help keep lead from being absorbed. Keep your home well-maintained; If your home has lead-based paint, check regularly for peeling paint and fix problems promptly. Try not to sand, which generates dust particles that contain lead.