We all take steps to keep our kids safe from the surprises life can throw at them. One area to be particularly vigilant about is common household chemicals, which often contain toxins. Kids are far more susceptible to these pollutants than adults, and children under 10 have the most risks to exposure.

These important points were recently underscored by a new study from the Environmental Working Group, which has found that children carry more than three times more flame retardant chemicals in their bodies than their mothers. If the EWG research tells us anything, it’s that we need to take extra precautions when it comes to our kids and common consumer chemicals. Here’s our list of ways to toxin-proof your home:

• Use unbleached or non-chlorine-bleached paper products. Chlorine bleaching is a leading source of dioxin.

• Use cleaning products made from safe and natural ingredients. Especially avoid synthetic waxes, polishes, and toilet cleaners, which typically contain more unsafe ingredients than other cleaners.

• Don’t use aerosol spray products. These typically contain toxic volatile organic compounds.

• Don’t use synthetic air and furniture deodorizers, air fresheners, or similar products, neither solid and sprays.

• Air out your home on a regular basis.

• Avoid #7 polycarbonate plastics, especially baby bottles. These also contain BPA. Better options for food or drink include polypropylene (#5), high density polyethylene (#2), and low density polyethylene (#4) plastics.

• Cut down on fatty foods like meats and dairy products. These are the main source of our exposure to fat-soluble dioxins.

• Eat organic foods, which are grown without pesticides or chemical treatments. Since few of us can obtain a 100% organic diet, we recommend the EWG’s Produce Guide, which lists the 12 fruits and vegetables with the most and least pesticides.

• Avoid canned soda and acidic canned foods like tomato and citrus products. Such products often use an unhealthy chemical called bisphenol-a (BPA) in their linings.

• Be cautious about purchasing soft plastic and/or vinyl products like shower curtains and toys. These products are a key source of hormone-mimicking phthalate pollution in the home.

• Keep your kids off vinyl flooring. Place carpets over vinyl play areas or replace vinyl flooring with a non-toxic alternative like linoleum.

• Don’t bring home polymer clays, which rely on phthalates for their malleability.

• Use natural cosmetics and personal care products. Synthetic versions are filled with untested substances and known hazards.

• Dust your home regularly and carefully ― household dust is a prime source of PBDE exposure. Dust with a damp cloth and use a HEPA filtration vacuum on floors.

• Replace non-stick cookware, which releases unsafe perfluorochemicals (PFCs), with cast iron cookware.

• Choose carpets, furniture, and clothing free of stain resistance treatments, a primary source of PFC exposure.

• Use natural bug repellents instead of deet.

• Just say no to synthetic pesticides, including flea and tick products for pets.

• Most importantly, encourage kids to wash their hands frequently in plain soap and water to keep pollutants off their fingers and out of their mouths!

Want to learn more about raising a healthy family? Check out our library of how-to guides:

Greening Your Home for Baby

Identifying Healthier Baby Products

The Seventh Generation Back-to-School Guide

Our Favorite Healthy Baby & Parenting Books

Choosing Safer Toys

For more information about the pollutants discussed above, take a look at our Dirty Dozen.

For more about protecting our children from pollution at home and in the environment, visit the Center for Children’s Health and the Environment, and Healthy Child Healthy World.

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photo: Steve Navarro