PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY FROM LEAD IN YOUR HOME: (part three)



                                                 CHECKING YOUR HOME FOR LEAD:

                                You can get your home tested for lead in several different ways:

>A paint inspection, tells you whether your home has lead base paint and where it is located. However, it will not tell you whether or not there is a
  lead hazard.

>A risk assessment, reveals if your home currently has any lead hazards from lead in paint, dust or soil. Also describes what action to take.

>A combination risk assessment & home inspection, tells you if your home has any lead hazards, if your home has any lead based paint and the

  location(s).

HIRE A TRAINED AND CERTIFIED TESTING PROFESSIONAL WHO USES A RANGE OF
RELIABLE TESTING PROCEDURES WHEN TESTING YOUR HOME:

>Visual inspection

>A portable X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) machine.

>Lab test of paint, dust and soil samples.

Home test kits are available, but not always accurate.  To assure
safety,Consumers should not rely on these kits before undertaking
renovations.



WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW, TAKING SOME SIMPLE STEPS TO REDUCE YOUR FAMILY'S RISK:

> If you rent, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint.

> Clean up paint chips immediately.

> Clean floors, window frames & sills, and other surfaces weekly. Use a mop or sponge with warm water and a general all purpose cleaner, or a

   cleaner made specifically for lead. Never mix ammonia and bleach
products together. They can form a dangerous gas.

> Thoroughly rinse sponges and mops after cleaning.

> Wash children's hands often, especially before meals, nap time and bed time.

> Keep play areas clean. Wash bottles, pacifiers, toys and stuffed animals regularly.

> Keep children from chewing on window sills or other painted surfaces. This is common when babies are teething.

> Clean or remove shoes before entering the home to avoid tracking in lead from soil.

> Make sure children eat nutritious meals high in Iron and Calcium. Children with good diets absorb less lead.



There are many projects a homeowner can tackle to save money. Trying
to remove lead based paint, dust or soil, should not be one of them.
Don't take chances !!!!





Federal and State programs are in place to ensure that testing is done
safely, reliably and effectively. You can call 1-800-424-LEAD(5323)
for a list of contacts in your area.



For all your Real Estate & Insurance needs, and helpful hints,
contact, LEGACY REALTY GROUP, "The New Star In Town", EDISON, NJ.
732.744.0400

PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY FROM LEAD IN YOUR HOME (part two)

LEAD'S EFFECTS:

It is important to know that even exposure to low levels of lead can severely harm children:

IN CHILDREN, LEAD CAN CAUSE:
> Nervous system and kidney damage.
> Learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, and decreased intelligence.
> Speech, language and behavioral problems.
> Poor muscle coordination.
> Decreased muscle and bone growth.
> Hearing damage.
While low level, lead exposure is most common, exposure to high levels of lead, can have devastating effects on children, including seizures, unconsciousness, and in some cases, even death. Although children are especially susceptible, lead exposure can also be dangerous to adults.

IN ADULTS, LEAD CAN CAUSE:
> Increased chance of illness during a pregnancy.
> Harm to fetus, including brain damage or death.
> Fertility problems in men & women.
> High blood pressure.
> Digestive problems.
> Nerve disorders.
> Memory and concentration problems.
> Muscle and joint pain.

CHECKING YOUR FAMILY FOR LEAD:
Consult your Doctor for advice on testing yourself and children. A simple blood test can detect high levels of lead. Especially recommended for:
> Children and ages 1 and 2.
> Any family member, who you suspect may have been exposed to high levels of lead.
> Children who should be tested under your State or health screening plan. Your Doctor can explain what the test results mean, and if more testing will be needed. If you notice one, or more of the above mentioned symptoms in your child or yourself, contact your Doctor immediately.

For all your Real Estate and Insurance needs, and more helpful hints, contact LEGACY REALTY GROUP, "the New Star in Town". Edison, New Jersey, 732.744.0400

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM LEAD IN YOUR HOME: part one

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM LEAD IN YOUR HOME: part one

If you are planning to buy, rent or renovate, many homes and apartments built before 1978, have high levels of lead based paint. Lead from paint, chips and dust, can pose serious health hazards if not dealt with properly, and should not be taken lightly.

OWNERS, RENTERS AND BUYERS, are strongly encouraged to check for lead before renting, buying or renovating any pre-1978 housing.

LANDLORDS, are required to disclose in the lease, any known information about lead based paint & hazards, before the leases take affect.

SELLERS, likewise, have to disclose any known information on lead based paint, before selling a house. Sales contracts must include such a disclosure. Buyers have up to 10 days to check for lead.

RENOVATORS, who will be disturbing more than 2 square feet of painted surfaces, are required to provide you with a lead base paint pamphlet, from the EPA, before starting work.

IMPORTANT, LEAD FROM NOT ONLY PAINT, BUT ALSO DUST AND SOIL, CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IF NOT MANAGED PROPERLY:

FACT: Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born.

FACT: Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.

FACT: People can absorb lead in their bodies by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by eating soil or paint chips containing lead.

FACT: People have many options for reducing lead hazards. In most cases, lead based paint that has not been disturbed and is in good condition,

           is not a hazard.

FACT: Removing lead based paint improperly can increase the danger to your family.

LEAD GETS INTO THE HUMAN BODY IN MANY WAYS:
>Breathing in lead dust, especially during renovations.
>Putting hands or other objects that may be covered with lead dust in their mouths.
>Eating paint chips or soil that contains lead.

 CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING REMAINS A MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM IN THE U.S. ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF SIX:
> At this age, children's brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.
> Children's growing bodies absorb more lead.
> Babies and young children often put their hands and other objects, which can have lead dust on them, into their mouths.

LEAD IS ALSO ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS TO WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE:
> Women with a high lead level in their system prior to pregnancy, would expose a developing fetus to lead.

Reminder: Lead based paint was declared illegal in 1978, after which, paint no longer contained lead. If your home or apartment was built after 1978, you need not worry about the effects of lead. 
check our blogs #2 AND #3, coming up in the next weeks, for additional information.

For all your Real Estate and Insurance needs and helpful hints, contact LEGACY  REALTY GROUP, "The new star in town", Edison, New Jersey 732.744.0400.

SELLERS.....GREEN UP YOUR HOME CLEAN UP:

If you are getting ready to clean up your home for the Spring selling season, consider these preparation hints. Let the four C's of staging be your guide. A green way toward Cleaning, Clutter- free, Colorful, and Creative:

CLEAN:
Using natural cleaners to get the house ready, is better for people with allergies, and creates less harmful chemical waste. Brands such as, Mrs. Meyer's, and Seventh Generation, provide a wide array of "green" household cleaners. A simple, at-home solution for removing hard water stains and cleaning windows, is a 1-1 mixture of vinegar and water.

CLUTTER FREE:
Box up personal items such as photos and collectibles and instead, show off the architectural features of the house. Then find a way to donate items you no longer want, rather than pitching them into the dumpster.

COLORFUL:
Freshen up the look of a room(s) with paints of minimal or no Volatile Organic Compounds, such as formaldehyde. These low-VOC paints have little odor when applied and don't create hazardous waste when discarded.

CREATIVE:
Stage the home using salvaged and repurposed items, such as wine barrels and old pottery for plants, or light fixtures made from re-cycled glass.

NEW BUYERS.....CONSIDER THESE TIPS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ALLERGY FIGHTING:

Homeowners can save as much as $200 to $400 off their energy bills, while increasing the long term value of the home.

WATER HEATERS:
Tank-less, gas water heaters turn on when you start using hot water and turn off when you're done. This can reduce water heating costs up to 35% annually. Water heaters that have a timer, can be programmed to turn off when you are away.

LIGHTING:
Automatic dimmers will adjust lighting based on the time of day. Extremely beneficial for exterior lighting.

BLINDS AND DRAPES:
Automated blinds and drapes are an eco-savvy development in today's window treatments. They can be programmed to close during the hottest part of the day in Summer and to let the Sun in during Winter.

AIR FILTRATION:
Choose an air filter that has a small-particle or HEPA filter. Clean or replace filters frequently. Keeping the humidity low and temperature around 70 degrees, will help fight mold and dust mites.

FLOORING:
Wherever possible, replace carpeting with hardwood or tile flooring. Wash area rugs and shampoo carpeting.

PLANTS:
Spread aquarium gravel, over the dirt in potted plants, to help contain mold.

FOOD WASTE:
Place garbage in a can with an insect proof lid, and empty the trash daily.

KITCHEN AND BATH:
Scrub with bleach to clean mold from the fixtures, tub and shower.

Following these guidelines, whether selling or buying, can potentially save you money and your health.  While  you may not be able to take advantage of everything listed, do the best you can in line with your personal budget. Remember, "every little bit helps".

For all your Real Estate and Insurance needs and helpful hints, contact LEGACY REALTY GROUP, EDISON, NJ, 732.744.0400.