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Many homes built before 1978 contain lead-based paint. Lead dust can get stirred up when you scrape off old paint or replace a window. Chips of peeling paint on exterior walls mix with soil and pose a health threat, particularly to children. Kids can be exposed through normal childhood behavior, putting dirt in their mouths, and playing on the floor. If you live in an older home, you should have the paint tested for lead content. If found, it should be removed by a professional. See the EPA’s website for an up-to-date list of certified testers and renovators in your area.

The way you choose to decorate your home should be a balance between reflecting your personal style and choosing eco-friendly materials.

Lead may also be found in household plumbing and water lines, especially in homes built before 1986. It gets into the water by corrosion of the solder in the pipes and fittings in your plumbing, as well as brass- and chrome-plated faucets and fixtures. Since 2014, stricter manufacturing regulations have decreased the amount of lead allowed in pipes, fittings, and fixtures. Your local drinking water authority can provide you with information on your home’s service lines and connect you with a laboratory for testing your tap water for lead. If your home tests positive, some simple steps you can take to reduce the lead in your water are:

■ Use cold water for drinking and cooking.

■ Run the water before you use it, especially if it hasn’t been used for more than six hours.

■ Use a filter certified by NSF International to remove lead.

■ Serve your family meals that are low in fat and high in calcium, iron, and vitamin C to help prevent storage of lead in the body.