Franklin Health Department is Serious About Lead
There are many programs the City of Franklin Health Department offers related to injury prevention. Safety City, Safe & Healthy Homes, and Home Safety checks are just some of the examples. Our newest program assesses potential lead hazards in homes built before 1950 where children are living.
You may think lead in homes is an urban issue or something you do not have to worry about. However, there are 600 houses in the City of Franklin that were built before 1950. Those homes most likely contain a layer of paint or varnish from when it was first built. Paint and varnish from that time period consists of 50% lead. After time, the outer layers of paint deteriorates from weather (outdoor surfaces) and friction (windows and floors) until the original paint with lead is exposed. Lead in paint becomes a hazard when young children ingest the dust (from windows and floors) and paint chips (from windows, floors, and exteriors).
The Health Department can assist you in assessing your home for potential lead hazards. A brief hazard screen can be completed in less than an hour by inspecting the exterior and interior surfaces and taking samples of the deteriorated ones. Information on immediate and long term solutions to reduce and eliminate the hazards will be given. The assessment is FREE and the recommendations will span from inexpensive cleaning tips to permanent solutions.
How do you sign up for an assessment? Call Kim Kringel, RN at the City of Franklin Health Department (414) 427-7534 to set up an appointment.
In addition to lead in your home, there are also many toys that have lead based paint. Be safe this holiday season and do your homework before you purchase toys for your children. Follow the link below for more information.
http://www.dhfs.wi.gov/lead/LSources_Products.HTM#Alert