National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

Below are components of a media campaign Local Health Agencies and others can use to promote lead poisoning awareness.

Sample Press Release	Social Media	Public Service Announcement - Radio
Public Service Announcement - Television	Educational Materials	CDC/EPA links for NLPPW

Sample Press Release

LEAD-FREE KIDS FOR A HEALTHY FUTURE—NATIONAL LEAD POISONING PREVENTION WEEK

Thousands of children living in the United States have elevated blood lead levels that may cause significant damage to their health. They can develop behavior and learning problems (such as hyperactivity), slowed growth, hearing problems, and aggressive patterns of behavior. Stopping a child’s exposure to lead from leaded paint, house dust, or any other source is the best way to prevent the harmful effects of lead.

To raise awareness of the consequences of lead poisoning among parents and pregnant women who live in homes built before 1978, the (insert name of health department) is participating in National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) October 20-26. (Insert name of health department) joins the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in encouraging parents to learn more about how to prevent lead poisoning.

This year's NLPPW theme, "Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future," underscores the importance of testing your home, testing your child, and learning how to prevent lead poisoning’s serious health effects. Connecticut regulations require children to be tested for lead at least twice. Parents and guardians should talk to their medical provider about testing their children.

Established in 1999 by the US Senate, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week occurs every year during the last week in October. During this week, many states and communities offer free blood-lead testing and conduct various education and awareness events. For more information about NLPPW activities in your area, contact (insert name of health department).

Here are some simple things parents can do to help protect their family from lead exposure:

Get Your Child Tested. Even if your young children seem healthy, ask your doctor to test them for lead. It is the law that every child in Connecticut be tested.
Learn About Lead Paint Hazards. Flaking, cracking and chipping paint in homes built before 1978 may be a hazard. Learn what you can do to prevent lead paint hazards.
Understand the Facts! Your local health department can provide you with helpful information about preventing childhood lead poisoning.

For a downloadable copy of press release, click here.

Social Media

Monday, October 21, 2019 – How Do You Know if There is Lead in Your Home?

Twitter:

Are you concerned about lead paint and dust in your home? #NLPPW2019 #leadfreekids https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Environmental-Health/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control/For-Homeowners

The Connecticut Department of Public Health’s Childhood Lead Program provides information about lead, lead hazards, and preventing lead exposure. Call the hotline, 1-860-509-7299. #NLPPW2019 #leadfreekids https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Environmental-Health/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control-Program

Many homes built before 1978 contain lead paint. When lead paint gets old, it can start peeling. Find out more! #NLPPW2019 #leadfreekids https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Environmental-Health/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control/For-Homeowners

Facebook:

Are you concerned about lead paint and dust in your home #NLPPW2019 #leadfreekids https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Environmental-Health/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control/For-Homeowners

Did you know many homes built before 1978 contain lead paint on both interior and exterior walls? When lead paint gets old, it can start to peel or come off in pieces and become a hazard. Find out more! #leadfreekids #NLPPW2019 https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Environmental-Health/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control-Program

Tuesday, October 22, 2019 – Make Sure Children Have Safe Crawls

Twitter:

Be sure to move children’s outdoor play areas away from bare soil and the sides of your home. Wet-mop floors and surfaces indoors often. #NLPPW2019 #leadfreekids https://portal.ct.gov/dph/Environmental-Health/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control/Lead-Primary-Prevention-Campaign

Take off shoes when entering the house to prevent bringing lead-contaminated soil in from outside #leadfreekids #NLPPW2019 https://portal.ct.gov/dph/Environmental-Health/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control/Lead-Primary-Prevention-Campaign

If you work near lead-based products, you can carry lead dust home on your clothes. Keep your family safe by learning more about ways to prevent bringing sources of lead exposure home! #leadfreekids #NLPPW2019https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Environmental-Health/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control-Program

Facebook:

Did you know children’s hands and toys can pick up household dust or exterior soil contaminated by lead? Be sure to move children’s outdoor play areas away from bare soil and the sides of your home. Wet-mop floors and wet-wipe surfaces indoors often to reduce the risk of lead exposure! #leadfreekids #NLPPW2019 https://portal.ct.gov/dph/Environmental-Health/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control/Lead-Primary-Prevention-Campaign

Lead exposure is dangerous during early childhood development, particularly for children who crawl! Make sure to take off your shoes when entering the house to prevent bringing lead-contaminated soil in from outside. #leadfreekids #NLPPW2019 https://portal.ct.gov/dph/Environmental-Health/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control/Lead-Primary-Prevention-Campaign

If you work near lead-based products, you can carry lead dust home on your clothes. Keep your family safe by learning more about ways to prevent bringing sources of lead exposure home! #leadfreekids #NLPPW2019 https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Environmental-Health/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control-Program

Wednesday, October 23, 2019 – Speak to a Health Care Provider about Blood Level Tests for Children

Twitter:

Lead poisoning is preventable! A simple blood test can detect lead. Find out more from your state childhood lead poisoning prevention program! #leadfreekids #NLPPW2019 https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Environmental-Health/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control-Program

There is no known safe blood lead level. Act early and get your child tested! Blood lead tests are usually recommended for children at 12- and 24-months. Talk to your doctor or health care provider for more information. #leadfreekids #NLPPW2019 https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Environmental-Health/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control/For-Parents

Facebook:

Lead poisoning is preventable! A simple blood test can detect lead. Find out more from your state or local childhood lead poisoning prevention program! #leadfreekids #NLPPW2019 https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Environmental-Health/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control-Program

There is NO known safe blood lead level. Act early and get your child tested! Blood lead tests are usually recommended for children at 12- and 24-months. Talk to your doctor or health care provider for more information. #leadfreekids #NLPPW2019 https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Environmental-Health/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control/For-Parents

Thursday, October 24, 2019 – Learn more about your Drinking Water

Twitter:

You cannot see, taste, or smell lead in drinking water, but you can learn basic information about sources of lead in drinking water and suggestions for reducing exposure! #leadfreekids #NLPPW2019 https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/dph/environmental_health/lead/pdf/Lead-in-Drinking-Water-pdf.pdf?la=en

Facebook:

Friday, October 25, 2019 – Lead Information in Other Languages

Twitter:

Are you planning to buy or rent a home built before 1978? Make sure you receive a copy of Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home. It’s available in multiple languages! #leadfreekids #NLPPW2019 https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/dph/environmental_health/lead/Case-Management/Protect-Your-Family-From-Lead-6-17.pdf?la=en

Many lead information documents are available in multiple languages. #leadfreekids #NLPPW2019 https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Environmental-Health/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control/For-Parents#Resources

Facebook:

Are you planning to buy or rent a home built before 1978? Make sure you receive a copy of Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home. It’s available in multiple languages! #NLPPW2019 #leadfreekids https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/dph/environmental_health/lead/Case-Management/Protect-Your-Family-From-Lead-6-17.pdf?la=en