Are you living in or working on a house or apartment built before 1978? Are you fixing up a home built before 1978? That home may contain lead paint. If you disturb that paint and create lead dust, you and your family may be at risk for lead poisoning.

Lead poisoning can lower IQ, create difficulties in school, and cause other serious health, learning, and behavior problems for children. Lead can also make adults sick.

But lead poisoning is preventable. Follow these rules to avoid creating and spreading dangerous lead dust:

1. Keep your family and your neighbors out of the work area.

2. Prepare the area: Empty the room of toys, furniture, and other removable items. Then close the area off from the rest of the house.

3. Protect yourself from lead dust. Put on safety equipment, such as safety glasses and disposable coverings.

4. Work wet: Lightly mist painted surfaces except near electrical outlets. Then scrape or sand by hand, not with power tools.

5. Work clean: Keep dust inside the work area. Clean with damp rags. Then use a HEPA vacuum cleaner, a special machine that traps tiny bits of lead dust.

Date February 20, 2009 Time: 10 AM - 12 Noon Location:    Chilton Co. Extension Office    504 First Avenue    Clanton, AL 35045    205-280-6268    http://www.aces.edu/counties/Chilton/ Cost: FREE To register: registration form: Printable Form or call 334-844-5638

Date February 20, 2009 Time: 10 AM - 12 Noon Location:    Gulf Coast Research &      Extension Center    8300 State Highway 104    Fairhope, AL 36532    251-937-7176    http://www.aces.edu/counties/Baldwin/ Cost: FREE To register: registration form: Printable Form or call 334-844-5638