Don’t accidentally poison your child
Don’t accidentally poison your child
Lead is a poison even in very small amounts. Lead dust is the most common way children are poisoned by lead.
Every year thousands of children under the age of 6 years old are diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels in Erie County. Thousands more are exposed to lead hazards in their homes every day.
Conditions that can cause lead poisoning can be found anywhere in Erie County, however they are especially found in neighborhoods that have a high amount of older housing. If your house was built before 1978, then you should assume that your home has lead in it and take steps to protect your household and reduce the risk of lead poisoning.
Check this database of properties built before 1978 (pre-1978 properties) in Erie County, NY.
Lead Safe Tool Borrowing Program
Renovate right with the right tools.
While regular cleaning, painting, and maintenance of existing painted surfaces can be sufficient to keep homes lead safe, the tools required to perform these processes can be expensive.
The Lead Safe Tool Borrowing Program is working to provide the tools families need to protect themselves from lead exposure and maintain affordable, safe housing.
How does the Lead Safe Tool Borrowing Program work?
1. LEARN
Sign-up to attend one of Erie County Department of Health’s FREE 6-hour Lead-Safe Work Practices (LSWP) Trainings and learn know to renovate your home safely.
2. SIGN-UP
Once you’ve successfully completed the LSWP Training, you are now eligible for a FREE 1-year membership to The Tool Library. Sign up for a membership online or in-person.
3. BORROW
Schedule a one on one appointment with The Tool Library’s Program Coordinator by emailing leadsafe@thetoollibrary.org to review your renovation project, fill out a program application and borrow the tools and equipment you will need to successfully complete your project.
Find additional resources on lead poisoning: www.getaheadoflead.org
HEPA vacuums are an important part of renovating safely, but can cost over $500 to buy. Borrow yours for free from The Tool Library today!
The Tool Library
716-510-1745
leadsafe@thetoollibrary.org
2626 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14214
www.thetoollibrary.org
@thetoollibrary
Classes Overview
Training for Homeowners: Free Lead Safe Work Practices Training
Registration is required and space is limited. For questions, call (716) 961-6800 or email leadsafe@erie.gov.
In these classes you will learn how to work safely around lead when remodeling, repairing, or painting your home. Every year hundreds of children are diagnosed with lead poisoning due to exposure to lead during home repairs and renovations.
This training is for:
- Any homeowner who lives in pre-1978 housing who performs repairs, renovations or remodeling themselves.
- Any homeowner who lives in pre-1978 housing and is planning to hire a contractor can learn about the federal requirements for contractors to perform work in a lead safe manner.
- Any occupant who lives in pre-1978 housing can learn about the requirements for property managers and landlords to perform work on their rental units in a lead safe manner.
- Note: This class does NOT meet EPA RRP requirements for professional contractors or property owners/managers working on rental property.
About the Tool Library
The Tool Library is a place where community members can borrow tools for set periods of time at a low cost. It is an example of a “real sharing economy”: a neighborhood-focused, not-for-profit network where community members share resources in a centralized space.
Our tool library is a social enterprise model and represents the work of people in the neighborhood coming together to share resources and knowledge, reduce waste, and lower barriers to access.
Visit thetoollibrary.org for more information.
