LEAD PAINT & CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING 

LEARN THE FACTS!

Lead Paint in Your Home Could Poison Your Children

• If your home was built before 1978, it probably has some lead paint.

• Most children are poisoned by lead dust that gets on their hands and then in their mouths.

• Lead dust comes from peeling or damaged paint or from sanding or scraping paint in older homes.

• Dirt or bare soil can also contain lead.

Learn the Risks of Lead Poisoning

• Lead is toxic. It can harm your child’s brain and cause learning difficulties and behavior problems.

• Children under six are most at risk. Lead can also harm unborn babies.

• It can happen to your child. Almost one million children in the U.S. under age six suffer from lead poisoning.

Follow This Simple Checklist to Help Keep Your Home Lead Safe

1. Keep paint in good shape

• Check often for peeling paint.
• Inspect for water damage that can make paint peel.
• Fix problems as soon as possible.

2. Work safely and clean up if you paint or repair.

• Seal off the work space and keep children and pregnant women away from the area. 
• Wet down the paint before you sand or scrape to control lead dust.
• Cover doors, windows, vents, floors and furniture with heavy plastic. If possible remove furniture from the room.
• Clean up the work area carefully with soap and water followed by vacuuming. Dispose of all trash and dust in heavy plastic bags.

3. Keep your home free of lead dust.

• Wash floors and window sills often with soap and water and use fresh water to rinse.
• Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
• A broom or carpet sweeper will not remove lead dust.

4. Watch where your children play.

• Look for areas with grass or other safe coverings.
• Avoid bare soil.

5. Test your child for lead.

• Children may not show signs of lead poisoning. Check with your doctor about having your child tested. The test is easy and inexpensive.
• Find out if your child is entitled to a free lead test. Children enrolled in Medicaid and other state health programs are.

Get Help With Lead Paint & Lead Poisoning Prevention

Rebuilding Together Saratoga County provides free home repair and modifications to low-income homeowners in need.  As part of our Lead Outreach Program, we provide outreach and education to the Saratoga County community, as well information on working safely with lead paint.  For more information about the Lead Outreach Program, or for an application for assistance, call 695-3315.

Additional Information to help children understand how to deal with Lead Awareness, the "Lead Lucy Coloring Book":

Download Coloring Book

Coloring Sheet 1

Coloring Sheet 2

Coloring Sheet 3