Most homes built before 1978 have some lead-based paint. Lead paint in good condition is usually not a problem. But when paint is damaged or disturbed, it can release lead-contaminated dust. This dust settles on floors, window sills and other surfaces and can poison children.

Lead Safe County offers a one-day class that covers the rules and regulations that apply to landlords and that  teaches landlords and their maintenance crews how to work safely and clean up propertly when working with lead-based paint.  Please call 753-4650, 363-4650, or 661-7650 for more information.

Protect your tenants. Follow these steps to maintain a lead-safe property:

1. Prevent damage to paint. Water damage from leaks and moisture causes most paint failure. Keep the roof in good repair. Make sure that gutters and downspouts are not blocked. Fix all water leaks promptly. 

2. Watch out for peeling paint. Make it easy for tenants to report peeling paint. Respond promptly, especially when young children or pregnant women occupy the unit. Check for peeling paint every time you or your workers come on to the property. Take advantage of vacancies to check carefully for peeling paint.

3. Promptly repair peeling paint. Use safe methods that control, contain and clean up lead dust. Assume that any peeling paint may be a lead hazard, unless a certified lead inspector documents that your property is free of lead paint.

Follow these guidelines to work safely with lead-based paint:

• Isolate the work area. Seal off the work are with heavy plastic sheets. 
• Shield surfaces from dust. Cover the floor or soil beneath the work area with heavy plastic sheets. Remove furniture from the work area or cover with plastic sheets. 
• Protect occupants. Keep children and pregnant women out of the work area. 
• Mist painted surfaces with water before scraping and sanding. 
• Do not use tools that create dust and paint chips. DO NOT use power tools or power washers on surfaces that might have lead-based paint on them – this will spread the lead dust all over the house and into the soil around the house. 
• WORK WET – Use a mist bottle to dampen the area down and hand scrape or sand to prep the area for new paint. 
• Beware of toxic hazards when removing old paint. Do not use open flame torches or heat guns above 1100 degrees. High heat creates poisonous fumes. Never use paint strippers that contain methylene chloride. 
• Clean up the area after the job: 

1.  Roll or fold plastic sheets inward to keep lead-contaminated dust from escaping. 
2.  Vacuum all floors, counters, moulding, window sills and other surfaces where dust might have settled.   DO NOT USE A SHOP VAC FOR THIS CLEAN UP – the open exhaust on a shop vac will spread toxic dust all over the property!  Vacuums equipped with a HEPA filter work best. 
3.  Scrub floors, walls, window sills and window wells with a mix of ¼ cup automatic dishwashing detergent in a bucket of warm water. Rinse well. Use a separate bucket for rinse water. Change rinse water often. 
4.  Dispose of debris, towels, rags, sponges and mop heads in heavy plastic bags. 
5.  NEVER BURN LEADED DEBRIS – the smoke and fumes are toxic! 
• Protect workers. Workers should wear protective clothing. Before leaving the work area, workers should clean or remove their shoes to avoid tracking dust with lead in it to the rest of the property or to their own homes. Work clothes should be removed as soon as possible and washed separately. Workers should wash their faces, hands and hair to be sure they are free of dust. 

• Be sure everyone is familiar with good practices and has the right tools.
• Train your staff. A training course can help your workers work safely with lead hazards. 
• When you hire a contractor to paint or remodel, insist on lead-safe practices. 
• When you buy equipment, include features that control lead dust. Vacuum cleaners should be equipped with HEPA filters. Power tools should have HEPA vacuum attachments. 
• Watch out for lead dust hazards. Control, contain and clean up lead dust whenever units are turned over and after you repaint or remodel. 
• Ask for help. Call in a certified lead expert if you or your crew do not have experience with lead hazards. 

• If a lead test has ever been done in your property, you are required by law to provide the results of this test to all tenants. 
• If you have never had a lead test done in your property, you are still required by law to disclose the fact that the property might contain lead-based paint hazards if the property was built before 1978. 
• You must have the tenant sign a disclosure form and provide a pamphlet "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home". You can get copies by calling 1-800-424-LEAD.