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Hi, I'm Tina Bernier with the Maine CDC.
If you're watching this video, you're ready to use our simple, ten-minute-kit
to find out if you have dust from lead paint in your home.
After watching this video, you won't be a licensed lead technician,
but you will be able to do this easy test.
Let's get started by unpacking the box.
You'll also need to have tape and a pen handy.
Lastly, right before you do the test, wash your hands.
The first place you'll test is the kitchen floor.
You can't see dust from lead paint,
but just a tiny bit in your home can be harmful for children.
In old homes, dust from lead paint settles on floors and windowsills -
the places where kids play and put their toys.
That's why you'll test in three places
where your child may spend a lot of time, starting in your kitchen.
First, take the cardboard square and tape it to the floor.
Put a glove on the hand you'll use to wipe the floor
and open one of the wipes.
Wipe inside the square going side to side.
Then fold the wipe in half so the dirty sides touch each other.
Wipe inside the square again, but this time wipe top to bottom.
Put the wipe in the tube labeled Kitchen Floor,
put the cap back on, and set the tube aside.
Take off your glove and throw it away.
Now find a spot in another room where your child spends a lot of time
and repeat these same steps,
but put the wipe in the tube marked Other Floor.
Now let's test a windowsill.
Choose a windowsill your child can reach and make sure the window is closed.
This is the part of the windowsill to test.
Put on a glove and wipe the windowsill from one end to the other.
Fold the wipe in half so the dirty sides are touching
and wipe the windowsill again from one end to the other.
Put the wipe in the tube labeled Windowsill,
put the cap on, and throw away your glove.
Now you need to measure the windowsill you just tested.
Using the tape measure in your kit,
put the end of the tape measure that says start
at one side of the area you just wiped.
This windowsill is 30 inches long.
Measuring to the closest inch or half inch is fine.
Write down how long your windowsill is
on the form that came with your kit.
Now, you'll measure the width, or from front to back.
Put the end of the tape measure at the back of the windowsill
where it meets the window.
Stretch the tape measure towards you.
This windowsill is 4 inches wide.
Write down how wide your windowsill is on the form.
Complete the rest of the form.
Include your phone number and let us know if you own or rent your home.
Sign the form and put it with all three tubes back in the box they came in.
Put the pre-paid shipping label on the box and mail it.
If there is a lot of lead dust in your home,
I'll call you and we'll talk about what to do.
We know your kids keep you busy, but by doing this simple test
you are taking a big step toward protecting them from lead poisoning.