You can take steps for free to make your home safer. The following services are available at no cost to Burlington and Winooski property owners and residents:
- Lead Safety Education: BLP can come to your home to discuss what you can do to help keep your family safe from lead poisoning. Topics include how diet and lifestyle can help prevent lead poisoning and how the risk of poisoning can be reduced.
- Technical Assistance: Studies have shown that home renovation projects done without using Lead Safe Work Practices have a high likelihood of leading to a lead poisoned child. Certified Program staff can conduct site visits to discuss how upcoming renovations and painting projects can be done safely. Visual Risk assessments can also be done on the property to show parents and property owners what areas may present a poisoning threat.
- Safety Guides: These helpful guides are available here, or can be mailed to the do-it-yourselfer to show how various home projects can be done lead-safely.
- Essential Maintenance Practices (EMP) Classes: The Burlington Lead Program offers the community free training regarding how rental property owners can comply with the Vermont Lead Law. Successful completion of the class also certifies that individual to perform the yearly assessment and maintenance work required by the law. The EMP class is also a good resource for contractors and do-it-yourselfers to learn how to use Lead Safe Work Practices
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- HEPA Vacuum Loans: The Lead Program has several HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter vacuums that can be used free of charge. These special filters are specially designed to capture the extremely small lead particles that are generated by opening lead-painted windows and doors. Using these vacuums will greatly aid in lowering or eliminating the hazardous lead dust that may be present in your home.
Contact Margaret Williams at 802-865-5323 or mwilliams@burlingtonvt.gov for help with any of these services.