Children’s Educational Coloring & Activity Book

Learn How to Be Lead-Safe

Chip the Cowboy and His Best Friend Pal

Letter to ParentsThe purpose of this coloring and activity book is to educate your child on the hazards of lead-based paint and other lead contaminated items found in the home. Lead is dangerous and can harm the growth of children, their ability to learn and behavior. Children under the age of six are more likely to get lead poisoning than any other age group. Most often children get lead poisoning from swallowing peeling paint chips or from lead paint dust found on floors, window-sills, hands and toys.

If your child lives or visits a single-family house that was built prior to 1978, get the home tested. If you want to make sure your child(ren) is/are lead free, get your child(ren) tested.

We encourage you to participate with your child in discussing potential lead hazards in your home. If you have any questions about the contents of this coloring and activity book, please feel free to contact the City of Fort Worth’s Lead-Safe Program at 817-392-7444 or visit FortWorthTexas.gov/leadsafe.

This coloring and activity book was paid for with Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant funds through the City of Fort Worth’s Lead-Safe Program. The Lead-Safe Program is committed to creating a lead-safe environment for the children and residents who live in Fort Worth.

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Howdy! My name is Chip and this is my best friend Pal. We want kids to be safe around lead. Lead is a metal and can hurt you if it gets inside your body.

Chip, I need to learn how to be lead-safe!

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Lead-based paint is a hazard to children who are under the age of six if it is peeling, chipping, chalking or cracking. Even paint that appears to be undisturbed can be a problem if it is on surfaces children chew or gets a lot of wear and tear like windows. If a home was built before 1978 it is more likely to contain lead-based paint.

Pal, you have paint chips on your paws! Peeling paint chips could have lead in them. Lead can hurt your body and make you feel sick. Don’t put the paint chips in your mouth.

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Parent Tip

Proper hand-washing will reduce the spread of any germs that may be harmful to a child. Encourage children to wash their hands after playing outside, after coughing or sneezing, before eating, after touching animals and after using the bathroom.

Oh no! Chip, what am I going to do?

Pal, make sure to wash your paws to get rid of any lead.

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Parent Tip

Be a Good Hand Washer

Wash with soap and warm water, sing for 20 seconds, rinse and dry.

After playing outside

After coughing and sneezing

After touching animals

Before eating

Good handwashing takes 20 seconds, or the time it takes to sing one verse of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.”

After using the bathroom

E-I-E-I-OOO!

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1=A 6=F 11=K 16=P 21=U2=B 7=G 12=L 17=Q 22=V3=C 8=H 13=M 18=R 23=W4=D 9=I 14=N 19=S 24=X5=E 10=J 15=O 20=T 25=Y

4 15 14 15 20 16 12 1 14 20 6 15 15 4 3 12 15 19 5

20 15 1 8 15 21 19 5

12 5 1 4 4 21 19 20 8 9 4 5 19 9 14 20 8 5 4 9 18 20

1 14 4 3 1 14 13 1 11 5 25 15 21 19 9 3 11

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Avoid planting vegetable gardens in areas where soil could be contaminated. Contaminated soil occurs when exterior lead-based paint from houses, buildings or other structures flake or peel into the ground.

Let’s plant some vegetables outside!

We can’t plant food near the house. There could be lead in the dirt.

Secret codeMatch the numbers to the correct letters to reveal a secret code!

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Parent Tip

Answer: DO NOT PLANT FOOD CLOSE TO A HOUSE! LEAD DUST HIDES IN THE DIRT AND CAN MAKE YOU SICK.

When water has been sitting for several hours, minimize the potential for lead exposure, run the tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before using the water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, call the Fort Worth Water Department at 817-392-4477 to schedule a water sampling.

I’m getting thirsty. Is it safe to drink from the faucet?

Yes. Turn the cold water on and let it run for 30 seconds to get rid of any lead.

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Parent Tip

Lead may be present in the glazes or decorations covering the surface of some traditional pottery. If the pottery is not manufactured properly lead can seep into foods and drinks prepared or served in the dishes. It is highly recommended that parents not use these dishes for cooking or serving food.

I am going to drink water from my favorite cup.

Wait Pal, your cup may have lead on it. The lead will hurt your body.

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Parent Tip

When a home needs repairs…

Activities like remodeling, repairs, maintenance, electrical work, plumbing, carpentry and window replacement can disrupt paint and create hazardous lead dust in homes built before 1978. Contaminated dust forms when lead paint is dry-scraped, sanded or when painted surfaces bump or rub together.

Maze

My room is too small. Can we tear down this wall and make my room bigger?

Be careful Pal, the dust from tearing down the wall may have lead in it.

…make sure they are done right!

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Parent Tip

Built Before 1978

Adults who have jobs in construction, plumbing, painting, car repair and mining can bring home high levels of lead on their clothing or on materials from work. Workers should be careful: change clothes before entering the home, leave shoes at the door, keep work materials away from living areas and wash hands before cooking, drinking and eating.

I need to wait for my dad to change his work clothes.

I never knew someone could bring lead on their clothes from work.

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Parent Tip

Dirt and soil contaminated by lead can be dangerous if children play in it or it is tracked into your home by people and pets.

Carly, come in the house to eat!

Wait Pal, Carly may have paint chips or lead dust on her fur. Let’s check with my Dad first.

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Parent Tip

Pal, there is a community event in our neighborhood. Let’s go get a free lead test!

Protecting children from exposure to lead is important. A simple blood test can check for levels of lead. There is no safe blood lead level in children. Even low levels of lead have been shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention and academic achievement. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the effects of lead exposure in children cannot be corrected.

With so much lead around us we should get a lead test.

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Parent Tip

Make sure children eat healthy, low-fat foods high in iron, calcium and vitamin C to protect the body from the effects of lead.

Pal, don’t worry. Make sure to eat healthy food with lots of iron and calcium.

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Parent Tip

Whole Grain Breads and Cereals

Fish Peas and Beans

Chicken/Turkey Eggs

Lean Beef/Pork

Milk/Milk Products

Fortified Juices

Cheese

Cream Soups

SpinachPizza

Dark Green Vegetables

Yogurt

Eat these foods to keep your body healthy and strong

Iron

Calcium

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Parent Information

City of Fort Worth’s Lead-Safe ProgramThe City of Fort Worth’s Lead-Safe Program (LSP) is committed to creating a lead-safe environment for the children and residents of Fort Worth. LSP helps income-eligible residents protect children (under the age of six) from lead poisoning when they live or spend extended periods of time in a home containing lead-based paint.

Child lead poisoning may cause, but is not limited to:• Damage to the brain and nervous system.• Hearing problems and headaches. • Learning and behavioral problems.• Slower growth.

Call your health provider to test your child for lead poisoning.

Do you live in a house with old windows and peeling paint?

The city’s Lead-Safe Program can help. You may be eligible for an assessment and lead hazard control work such as new windows, doors, special cleaning and painting.

There is no cost to you if you meet ALL of the following qualifications:• Live as an owner or renter in a home built before 1978 located in Fort Worth.• A child under the age of six lives in the home OR spends at least six hours a week plus 60 hours

a year in the home or a pregnant woman is living in the home.• The yearly income for all adults living in the home are at or below 80 percent Area Medium

Income (AMI).

Do you live in a high risk zip code?

Neighborhoods located in high risk zip codes have a higher number of houses built before 1978. The following zip codes are considered high risk for lead-based paint hazards: 76104, 76105, 76106, 76110, 76111 and 76164.

Lead poisoning is preventable. Call the City of Fort Worth’s Lead-Safe Program at 817-392-7444 or visit FortWorthTexas.gov/leadsafe for more information on creating a lead-safe home.

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Material for this book was gathered from the following sources:City of Fort Worth, Lead-Safe Program – fortworthtexas.gov/leadsafeCity of Fort Worth, Water Department – fortworthtexas.gov/waterNew York State, Department of Health – health.ny.gov/environmentalThe PEW Charitable Trusts, Childhood Lead Prevention – pewtrusts.orgUnited States Environmental Protection Agency – epa.gov/leadUnited States Food & Drug Administration – fda.gov/food

Eight Healthy Home Principles

Keep it cleanCleaning reduces dust and other irritants that can bother people with allergies and asthma. Cleaning helps control the source of dust and contaminants, creates smooth surfaces and reduces clutter. Make sure to keep floors and window

areas clean using wet cleaning methods.

Keep it contaminant freeContaminants are potentially harmful substances such as lead, asbestos and carbon monoxide that can enter your home through the air or even be contained in walls.

Keep it dryToo much water in the home causes mold, structural damage and provides optimal conditions for pests, especially termites. Make sure water is not entering your home through leaks in roofing systems, verify rain water is not entering the home

due to poor drainage and check your interior plumbing for any leaks.

Keep your home maintainedMaintenance ensures the vital systems (ventilation, plumbing, waste management) in your house are in good shape and running smoothly. Routinely

inspect, clean and repair your home. Take care of minor repairs and problems before they become large repairs and problems. Make sure there is access to a working refrigerator, stove/oven, water heater, sink, toilet and bathtub/shower.

Keep it pest-freeInsects and rodents can trigger allergies and spread disease. Pests seek out food and hiding places. Keep your home clean and clutter free, seal cracks and store food in pest resistant containers. If

needed, use sticky traps and baits in closed containers, along with less toxic pesticides such as boric acid powder.

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Keep it safeStore poisons out of the reach of children and properly label. Secure loose rugs and keep children’s play areas free from hard or sharp surfaces. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and keep fire

extinguishers on hand. Add guard rails for porches and decks, handrails for stairs and ramps and make sure there is adequate lighting.

Keep it well-ventilatedVentilation is important because it helps expel dust and lingering odors, such as those from household chemicals and

pesticides, and keeps your home dry and mold free. Verify windows and exterior doors open, close and seal effectively. Check that outside clothes dryer vents have a metal duct and unobstructed airflow.

Keep it thermally controlledHouses that do not maintain adequate temperatures may place the safety of residents at increased risk from exposure to extreme cold or heat.

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Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes

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Connect the dots

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Get your home tested! Get your child tested! Contact the Lead-Safe Program!

Trace the letters

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Trace over the letters starting at the dots.

Lead can make you feel

sick.↓

↓

↓ ↓↓

Chip always washes his

hands.↓ ↓

↓↓ ↓

food.Pal eats lots of healthy

↓

↓ ↓ ↓

Chip and Pal are always safe around

lead.↓

↓

↓ ↓

FortWorthTexas.gov/leadsafe