Lead-Free MV Coalition Recognizes June as National Healthy Homes Month

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes is sponsoring National Healthy Homes Month (NHHM) during the month of June. This month-long celebration is centered around the theme “Growing Up Safe and Healthy: 5 Minutes to a Healthy Home” stressing the importance of home assessments and the impact they can have on the health of families. NHHM aims to educate and empower people to make small changes in order to create the healthiest living environment possible.

Currently, millions of homes have moderate to severe physical housing problems, including dilapidated structures; leaks; pests; lead paint; and high radon gas levels. These conditions are associated with a wide range of health issues, unintentional injuries, lead poisoning, and respiratory illnesses.

The HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes recommends keeping homes dry, safe, clean, pest-free, contaminant-free, well-maintained, ventilated, and at an adequate temperature.

Learn more about how you can make your home healthier and keep your family safe by completing the HUD’s Everyone Deserves a Safe and Healthy Home – Room by Room Checklist at www.leadfreemv.org/healthyhomes or by downloading the interactive “Healthy Homes Basics” app from Google Play or the iTunes store.

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties launched the Lead-Free MV Coalition in 2016 to help reduce lead poisoning rates in Herkimer and Oneida counties. The Coalition is a collaborative effort of nearly 50 organizations that address health and environmental hazards in the two-county region.

For information about Lead-Free MV, visit www.leadfreemv.org or call 1-844-NOT-LEAD.