Lead Safe Westmoreland

10/26/2026

🧙🏻 WITCHES, ZOMBIES AND MONSTERS AREN’T THE ONLY THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR THIS HALLOWEEN… 🧟

Halloween is all about things that go bump in the night. But there’s something even scarier – a hidden lead hazard that you can’t see, smell, or taste.

In homes built before 1978, lead-based paint can be hiding beneath layers of paint or creating dangerous lead dust from deteriorating surfaces, windows, doors and other areas of the home.

🎃 This Halloween, take a look beyond the cobwebs. 🕸️

A hidden lead hazard may not look scary – but lead exposure can have serious effects on children, and it can happen without anyone realizing there’s a problem.

The good news? You don’t have to guess what’s hiding in your home… you can find out what’s really lurking beneath the surface.

Lead Safe Westmoreland can help eligible Westmoreland County families identify and address lead hazards in their homes – at no cost to the homeowner or tenant.

🏠 Home built before 1978?
👶 A child under 6 lives in or regularly visits the home?
💰 Meet income guidelines?

Don’t let hidden lead hazards be the thing that haunts your home. 🏚️👻

Learn more and see if you qualify: www.westmorelandcountypa.gov/leadsafe

Westmoreland County is committed to protecting the health of children and families from the harmful effects of lead-based paint and other safety hazards commonly found in homes built before 1978. Whether you're a homeowner, landlord, or tenant, ensuring your home is lead-safe is essential. The Lead....

10/13/2026

🍂 It’s that time of year when cinnamon starts showing up in just about everything! 🍪🥧☕ From apple crisp and pumpkin treats to your morning sprinkle of cinnamon, it’s a staple in many kitchens this time of year.

But before you reach for that spice jar, take a minute to check your cinnamon.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has added additional ground cinnamon products to its public health alert after testing found elevated levels of lead. Consumers are advised not to use the affected products and to check their pantries for the listed brands and lot information.

👉 Check the FDA’s current alert and product list here:
https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/more-ground-cinnamon-products-added-fda-public-health-alert-due-presence-elevated-levels-lead

It’s a good reminder that lead exposure can come from more places than we may realize. While this alert involves food, older homes can also contain lead-based paint hazards that may be hidden in everyday areas like windows, doors, floors and painted surfaces.

🏠 Do you live in a home built before 1978?

If you have a child under 6 living in or regularly visiting your home, you may qualify for Lead Safe Westmoreland.

Qualified homeowners, landlords and tenants may receive lead inspections and remediation services at no cost to the household through the Westmoreland County Lead Safe & Healthy Homes Program.

📞 Have questions or want to find out if your home may qualify? Reach out to Lead Safe Westmoreland at 724-830-3366 or visit Lead Safe Westmoreland | Westmoreland County, PA - Official Website

Because keeping kids safe from lead starts with knowing where the risks can be. ❤️

The FDA is advising consumers to throw away and not to buy the ground cinnamon products because samples of products listed in the table were found to contain elevated levels of lead.

09/21/2026

🐾 Animals, activities, and lots of little explorers made Roar & Explore a great morning!

We were happy to join Westmoreland County Early Intervention for their Roar & Explore family event at Twin Lakes this past Saturday, where families enjoyed a morning filled with animals, activities, and community resources.

There were plenty of little explorers enjoying the playground, creating animal masks, enjoying snacks and drinks, and even meeting some real-life lizard and snake friends from Keller’s Kritters! 🐍🦎

And our caterpillar tunnel was a hit! 🐛 Kids crawled through as caterpillars and “turned into butterflies” on the other side. Needless to say, it got plenty of use! 🦋

From little caterpillars to safer homes, we love being out in the community! Our caterpillar tunnel was a big hit with the kids, while we had the chance to share information about Westmoreland County’s Lead Safe & Healthy Homes Programs with their parents. 🐛🏡

👉 Learn more about the program, eligibility, and how to get started: http://westmorelandcountypa.gov/leadsafe

A big thank-you to Westmoreland County Early Intervention for bringing families and community resources together for such a fun morning! 👏👏👏

08/27/2026

📚 BACK-TO-SCHOOL CHECKLIST: Backpack? 🎒 Supplies? ✏️ Lunch? 🥪 LEAD TEST? 🩸

As you get your child ready for a new school year, don’t forget one of the most important things you can do for their health: talk to their healthcare provider about a blood lead test.

Why? Because lead exposure doesn’t always come with warning signs. A child can look, feel, and act completely healthy while still being exposed. Even low levels of lead can affect learning, attention, development, and academic achievement. 🧠📖

⚠️ Where could lead be hiding?

Lead exposure can happen in places you might not expect:

🏠 Older homes — Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Chipping, peeling or deteriorating paint can create lead dust.

🫗 Drinking water — Lead can enter drinking water through certain pipes, faucets and plumbing fixtures.

🧸 Toys & other products — Some toys, jewelry and other consumer products can contain lead.

👟 Dust & dirt — Lead-contaminated dust and soil can hitch a ride indoors on hands, shoes and clothing.

🔨 Renovation projects — Work that disturbs lead-based paint can create dangerous dust if it isn’t done safely.

And remember: you can’t tell if a child has been exposed to lead just by looking at them. A blood test is the best way to find out. 🩸

✏️ Before the school year gets too busy…

Add one more thing to your back-to-school to-do list:

☑️ Ask your child’s healthcare provider about lead testing.

If your child is under 6, lives in or regularly visits an older home, or may have another potential source of lead exposure, it’s especially important to talk with their healthcare provider.

💡Healthy home. Healthy child. Healthy school year.

Concerned about lead hazards in your home? Lead Safe Westmoreland may be able to help with a grant-funded lead inspection and remediation of identified lead-based paint hazards.

📩 Contact Lead Safe Westmoreland to learn more about the program and whether your family may qualify.

https://www.westmorelandcountypa.gov/leadsafe

🎒 This school year, let’s make sure our kids are ready to learn—and growing up in a healthy home.

Westmoreland County is committed to protecting the health of children and families from the harmful effects of lead-based paint and other safety hazards commonly found in homes built before 1978. Whether you're a homeowner, landlord, or tenant, ensuring your home is lead-safe is essential. The Lead....

07/08/2026

🎒🍎 We're Hitting the Road with Head Start! 🏡💚

From July 14 through August 13, the Lead Safe Westmoreland team will be attending Westmoreland Community Action's Head Start, Pre-K Counts & Early Head Start Health Screening events throughout the county!

We'll be there to meet families, answer questions, and share information about our Lead Safe Westmoreland Program, which helps eligible families make homes safer from lead-based paint hazards at no cost to qualifying households.

👶 Why does this matter?

Children under the age of 6 are most vulnerable to lead exposure, which can impact brain development, learning, behavior, and overall health—often with no obvious symptoms. Because many homes built before 1978 may still contain lead-based paint, awareness and prevention are critical.

Whether you're enrolling a child in a Head Start pre-school (ages 3–5) or Early Head Start (birth–3), this is a great opportunity to learn how to protect your family and see if your home may qualify for assistance.

📍 We'll be visiting screening locations across Westmoreland County throughout the next month, so if you're attending a screening, be sure to stop by and say hello!

💬 Even if this program isn't right for your family, you can still make a difference. Please help us spread the word to friends, family, neighbors, grandparents, landlords, childcare providers, and anyone living in or owning a home built before 1978. You never know whose child you could help protect.

Together, we can create healthier, safer homes for Westmoreland County families. 💙

www.westmorelandcountypa.gov/leadsafe

Westmoreland County is committed to protecting the health of children and families from the harmful effects of lead-based paint and other safety hazards commonly found in homes built before 1978. Whether you're a homeowner, landlord, or tenant, ensuring your home is lead-safe is essential. The Lead....

06/22/2026

Sorry all - here is the flier and QR code to register for the event on Thursday!

06/22/2026

🚨 BIG NEWS: FREE SWAG & RESOURCES TO HELP MAKE YOUR HOME SAFER! 🚨

The Lead Safe Westmoreland team is heading to the Westmoreland County DHS Fair—packed with community resources and giveaways—and we’ll be sharing important updates for residents.

💰 We’ve been awarded $5.4 MILLION in new HUD funding to help make homes safer across Westmoreland County over the next four years.

🎁 Plus— stop by our table for NEW Lead Safe giveaways and merchandise (while supplies last!).

Come talk with us to learn:

🏠 How your family may qualify for up to $23,800 per unit in no-cost lead hazard remediation services
👶 How lead exposure can affect children and families
🔨 What services are available to help create a healthier home
💵 How this new funding will benefit Westmoreland County residents

Event Details:
📅 Thursday, June 25, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Westmoreland County Community College
Student Achievement Center
145 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood

🌐 For more information, visit: https://www.westmorelandcountypa.gov/leadsafe

This annual event brings together community organizations from across the county to share valuable resources, services, and information with local residents. Plus, several county meetings and presentations will take place throughout the day, making it a great opportunity to connect with your community and discover available programs.

Stop by, say hello, grab some goodies, and learn how Lead Safe Westmoreland is helping create safer, healthier homes throughout our community!

Westmoreland County is committed to protecting the health of children and families from the harmful effects of lead-based paint and other safety hazards commonly found in homes built before 1978. Whether you're a homeowner, landlord, or tenant, ensuring your home is lead-safe is essential. The Lead....

06/08/2026

🌞 It’s officially that time of year…

Which means...

☑️ The kids are back outside
☑️ The grill is fired up
☑️ The windows are open
☑️ And suddenly every home project you've been putting off all winter seems like a great idea 😅

But before you break out the paintbrushes and power tools, keep this in mind:

🏠 Older homes built before 1978 can contain lead hazards in places that are often overlooked—painted windows and doors, porches and trim, old stained or varnished surfaces, and beneath old layers of paint.

Home repairs and renovations that involve scraping, sanding, cutting, or demolition can disturb these materials and release lead dust into the home.

The scary part? Many families don't realize a lead hazard exists until a child has already been exposed—and even low levels of lead exposure can have lifelong impacts on a child's health and development.

That's why Lead Safe Westmoreland provides, at no cost to eligible families:

✅ Lead inspections
✅ Lead risk assessments
✅ Lead hazard remediation

If you have children under 6 (or a child who regularly visits your home) and live in an older home, we may be able to help make your home safer.

⭐ BUT HERE'S THE IMPORTANT PART ⭐

Even if your family doesn't qualify for our program, chances are you know someone who does—a friend, neighbor, grandparent, babysitter, coworker, or family member living in an older home.

One share could put this information in front of the exact person who needs it. 🙌

🔗 Learn more: https://www.westmorelandcountypa.gov/leadsafe

Because every child deserves a safe and healthy home. ❤️

Westmoreland County is committed to protecting the health of children and families from the harmful effects of lead-based paint and other safety hazards commonly found in homes built before 1978. Whether you're a homeowner, landlord, or tenant, ensuring your home is lead-safe is essential. The Lead....

05/11/2026

🌟 Stop by and see us tomorrow, May 12th at the Community Connections Fair in Greensburg! 🌟

Lead Safe Westmoreland will be there as a vendor sharing information about our FREE lead hazard inspection and remediation program for eligible families living in homes built before 1978. 🏠👶

This amazing community event is focused on connecting families and individuals with helpful local resources related to:
✔️ Basic Needs
✔️ Family Support
✔️ Community Support
✔️ Education
✔️ Health Care

📍 Laurel Highlands Workforce & Opportunity Center
📍 310 Donohoe Road, Greensburg, PA 15601
📅 Tuesday, May 12, 2026
⏰ 10 AM – 2 PM

Come say hi, ask questions, grab resources (and some sweet merch!), and learn how we may be able to help make your home safer for children and families. 💚

Learn more about our program here👉 westmorelandcountypa.gov/leadsafe

05/01/2026

We’re excited to be part of the Stay & Play event at the Mount Pleasant Public Library on Tuesday, May 5th! 🎈

If you have little ones (birth–5 years), please join us for a fun, family-friendly day filled with play activities, developmental screenings, and valuable early childhood resources.

⏰ Stop by anytime between 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 120 S. Church St., Mt. Pleasant
👶 Pre-registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome!

Your kids can play, explore, and even participate in developmental screenings—while you connect with local resources that support your family.

Be sure to stop by Lead Safe Westmoreland to learn how we help families reduce lead hazards in the home and create safer spaces for kids to grow and thrive—at no cost for those who qualify.

Come for the play, stay for the peace of mind. 💛

🔗 Learn more about our program here 👉
westmorelandcountypa.gov/leadsafe