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BE LEAD SAFE!

What is Lead?:

· Lead is a heavy metal

· It is present in many homes and yards

· If lead gets inside you, it can make you very sick.

· Infants and children are at greater risk of harm from lead.

Where Does Lead Come From?

· Lead was used in paint until 1978.

· If you live in a house or apartment built before 1978, lead paint was used.

· Lead paint on older furniture.

How Are We Exposed to Lead?

· Chipped, peeling, powdery-looking painted surfaces can be a lead hazard. Young children should be watched closely so they don’t chew on painted surfaces or put paint chips in their mouths.

· House dust: Tiny bits of lead from lead-painted surfaces can get into house dust. Young children should have their hands cleaned often and play in clean areas only.

· Dirt outside could have lead in it from old paint chips, dust or car exhaust from leaded gas. Take off your shoes at the door.

· Plastic mini blinds: Some blinds made outside the U.S. have lead in them and can make lead dust. They should be replaced.

· Other Sources: there could be lead in the sand in some sandboxes, old playground equipment, solder, certain glazed pots, fishing line sinkers, car batteries and more.

Renovating or Remodeling?

If you are doing major repairs or renovations that may create a lot of dust, such as replacing windows or even repairing a door that sticks, you can create dust or paint chips that contain lead. It takes only a small amount to poison someone.