According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are no safe levels of lead in someone’s blood. Lead can enter the body when someone inhales or ingests particles found in lead-contaminated paint, dust, soil or drinking water. Homes built before 1978, the year lead-based paints were banned for residential use, may contain lead hazards. Children under the age of 6 are at the greatest risk of developing health issues caused by lead exposure. Pregnant individuals can also be affected by lead and pass it on to their unborn baby, causing issues like premature birth, low birth weight, learning and behavior problems and even miscarriage and stillbirth.
Under the ordinance, rental property owners in Jefferson County – with a home built before 1978 -- will need to have their property inspected by a Kentucky Certified Lead Risk Assessor, who will be able to identify lead hazards in the home. If lead-based materials are discovered, they must be controlled through enclosure, encapsulation or abatement by a certified professional. Current and prospective tenants should be told about any lead hazards and the plan to remediate them.
To learn more about the Lead-Safe Housing Registry, and what landlords and tenants can do now, visit our Lead Hazard Reduction Program page on louisvilleky.gov.
Landlords may be eligible for grant funding to abate lead-based paint hazards at their rental property through the Office of Housing and Community Development’s Lead-Safe Louisville Program, which aims to eliminate lead hazards in all owner-occupied and rental units in Louisville. For more information about the Lead-Safe Louisville Program, including eligibility requirements, please visit Lead-Safe Louisville on louisvilleky.gov.
To learn about local trends and data when it comes to lead poisoning, visit louhealthdata.com
Know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia
As temperatures fall below freezing, the danger of frostbite increases significantly and can occur more quickly than you might expect.
Frostbitecauses loss of feeling and color around the face, fingers and toes.
Signs: Numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, firm or waxy skin.
Actions: Go to a warm room. Soak in warm water. Use body heat to warm. Do not massage or use a heating pad.
Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature. A temperature below 95 degrees is an emergency.
Actions: Go to a warm room. Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head and groin. Keep dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head and neck.
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Healthy Start launches Safe & Sound series for families
Safe & Sound Essential Safety Tips for Families series kicks off at 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., starting Jan.15 at the South Central Regional Library, 7300 Jefferson Blvd. The series concludes Feb. 5.
Highlighted benefits:
Jan. 15: Baby-proofing & Safe Sleep
Jan. 22: Infant First-Aid, CPR, & Car Seat Safety
Jan. 29: Emotional Safety
Feb. 5: Care Provider Safety
Participants will gain valuable insights from experts on how to ensure the safety of their infants and children. They will also be provided with essential safety supplies, including electrical outlet covers, medicine storage boxes and more.
Raffles will feature items such as car seats and pack n’ plays.
Pregnant or postpartum individuals and families with infants under 18 months are encouraged to attend.
To RSVP, please call 502-574-6661 or email: healthystart@louisvilleky.gov
Are you interested in improving the health and wellness of all residents of our city? If the answer is yes, we invite you to be a part of a dedicated team. There are four vacancies for this position. The deadline to apply is Jan. 13, 2025.
