We invite you to take the message about a lead-safe environment to those in your school, town, organization and any other appropriate venue.

Before you do, though, some steps should be taken to prepare the presentation.

1. Know Your Message

• Lead poisoning can cause serious learning, developmental, and behavioral problems in children.

• The most common source of lead is dust from old deteriorating paint or unsafe remodeling and renovating practices in homes built before 1978.

• The most common way that lead gets into the body is through hand to mouth activity.

• Have children tested for lead. New Jersey State law requires all children to have a blood lead test at or around age 1 year and again at age 2 years. Children between the ages of 3-6 years, who have never been tested, should be tested. In addition, high-risk children need more frequent testing.

• Childhood lead poisoning is preventable.

You can use the above messages alone or tie them to this year’s theme “Stomp Out Lead?”. Whatever message you choose, use it repeatedly to be effective.

2. Establish a Spokesperson

• Choose a person who is well-versed in lead poisoning and can accurately represent your program and its messages.

• Reporters usually prefer to speak to the person in charge. Make sure that person is aware of the lead issues that most concern your community. Example: older housing stock

3. Draw on Your Resources

• Use local partners to make your observance week activities a success and to increase community support of your lead poisoning prevention efforts.

4. Use a Theme

• This year’s theme, “Stomp Out Lead”, should be incorporated into your observance week initiatives.