We all know about paint chips and the risks to be responsible for when remodeling older buildings. Strict guidelines are in place when remodeling buildings 30 years or older.

“Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.

To protect against this risk, on March 31, 2008, EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Until that time, EPA recommends that anyone performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools follow lead-safe work practices.”

(Source: http://www.westchesterrealestateblog.com/2008/10/lead-based-paint-isnt-just-from-paint-chips.html )

What about water? Children are advised to drink 6 – 8 glasses of water per day to maintain good health.  http://www.allaboutwater.org/how-much.html  But what’s in the water?

Lead in Drinking Water

“Lead may be found in household plumbing materials and water service lines. Lead is rarely found in source water but enters tap water through corrosion of plumbing materials. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, joints, and solder. However, new homes are also at risk: even legally “lead-free” plumbing may contain up to eight percent lead. The most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures which can leach significant amounts of lead into the water, especially hot water. Read more about lead in drinking water.

EPA is concerned about the potential for elevated lead levels in the drinking water of schools and child care centers. Exposure to lead is a significant health concern, especially for young children and infants whose growing bodies tend to absorb more lead than the average adult. Drinking water is one possible source of lead exposure. Testing water in schools and child care facilities is important because children spend a significant portion of their days in these facilities, and they are likely to consume water while there. Read more about lead in drinking water in schools and child care facilities.”

(Source: http://www.westchesterrealestateblog.com/2008/10/lead-based-paint-isnt-just-from-paint-chips.html)

A good place to start is the Centers For Disease Control website and the guidelines to “Let’s Wipe Out Lead Poisoning.”

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/events/NLPPW/leadweek2008.htm

Get reports on local water quality.  Have your center or daycare facility water tested. Proactively put the minds of your children’s parents at ease by keeping them informed of your efforts to protect their children. 

Safety and the peace of mind it fosters is the goal.  You protect the children in your care from the dangers of lead poisoning.  You also protect them from dangers in the world outside the doors of your child care center. Childcare Manager center management software in tandem with Time Manager Pro & timeclock with the doorlock trigger feature keeps your center accessible to only authorized employees and authorized parents and their “OK to Pickup” adult person list. It keeps your children safe. Take a look and see what Childcare Manager can for you:  

www.childcaremanager.com

Then  more about Time Manager and the doorlock trigger feature:    

www.childcaremanager.com/timemanager

Teri Selbicky
Senior Childcare Management Specialist
(800) 553-2312 toll-free
teri@childcaremanager.com