Lead Safety Tour Blog

Angie's List
Campaign for Lead
Safety Awareness

Weekend full of contractor lead safety training	10/16/2007 Josh Owens
This weekend saw Angie's List Lead Safety Tour events in Chicago and Minneapolis. Our goal when starting this tour was to help educate consumers and contractors about lead safety and, specifically for contractors, the need to take training in lead safe work practices. This weekend contractors and service companies heard the message, as we trained a combined 38 individuals in lead safe work practices! I also have to acknowledge the great help we received this weekend at both events. Below are pictures from Chicago and Minneapolis taken before each event. Minneapolis Chicago

Pictures from the Lead Safety Tour	10/09/2007 Josh Owens
3 events this past weekend across the country. It was a very busy weekend, but I wanted to share some pictures from the St. Louis Angie's List Lead Safety Tour event. It was in the Missouri History Museum and was a great event for all parties involved! Volunteers from the Lead Safe St. Louis Program Quick break out session during contractor training

List-en up! talks Lead Safety	10/03/2007 Josh Owens
Angie's List is debuting a great new way to stay up-to-date on all things Angie's List. This informative and entertaining podcast will share stories about hiring service companies and contractors, home improvement, ratings and reviews, and tips and tricks to get the job done right the first time. Sounds like music to our ears! In its first episode, List-en up! will discuss the Angie's List Lead Safety Tour, lead safety initiatives, and helpful tips when hiring a contractor for renovations. Click here to listen: http://angieslistpodcasts.com/episode_1_lead_safety

Lead Safety Tour on Lead Safety	10/01/2007 Josh Owens
I did a quick Google search today to find out what resources are immediately available to someone who just wants some basic information on lead safety (besides our website, of course). I was really amazed by the detail on the return. OSHA, EPA, HUD, and the NSC all provide great lead safety information and overview on the problem at hand. In fact, the link to the National Safety Council contains very relevant information on two hot topics with lead poisoning: lead dust, and lead exposure prevention. I recommend you check out this informative site on lead safety: http://www.nsc.org/library/facts/lead.htm

San Francisco Lead Safety Tour Stop	09/27/2007 Whitney Vogel
The rain didn't dampen our spirits at the Bay Area Lead Safety Tour stop which took place at Jack London Square in Oakland, CA on September 22nd. It turned out to be a wonderful and informative event, thanks in large part to the Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. We had some great press to preview the event, including TV coverage on KRON, KTVU FOX, and KGO ABC, and print coverage in the San Francisco Chronicle and Oakland Tribune. We administered 43 blood tests to children, parents, and contractors who regularly work with lead-based paint. The Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program also offered an informational lecture on dealing with lead-based paint for contractors and homeowners. We were impressed that about 10 people attended those lectures and walked away with a greater understanding of how to protect families from dangerous exposure to lead paint. Some commented that the event was eye opening - just what we intended to do!

Lead Safety Tour off and running	09/24/2007 Josh Owens
What a great weekend! Whitney is currently flying back from the San Francisco Bay area event, but I wanted to give a quick update on our Indianapolis stop. People started filing in the door just before 10am and we had a stead flow of families throughout the morning. 15 kids were tested for lead poisoning by the Marion County Health Department and another 35 people came by to find out more about lead paint in their homes. We had people stop in from all over the age spectrum, some moving into their first home and others wanting to make sure their home was safe for grandchildren. Our experts were even questioned about home purchases in other countries! As for the contractors, it looked like they enjoyed an interesting and interactive class. Thanks to the Marion County Health Department for helping with child testing and answering questions and to Janet McCabe from Improving Kids' Environment coalition for all her insight into lead issues! Also, a special thank you for all the Angies List friends that came out to support the effort. What a good day all around. Make sure to check out our press page for more coverage of the local events.

Lead Safety Tour kicks off this weekend	09/20/2007 Josh Owens
The start of the Lead Safety Tour is finally here! We have been working with local lead coalitions, health departments, and organizers to plan in each city. Indianapolis and San Francisco/Oakland have been welcoming hosts for the events this Saturday and everyone here at Angie's List is excited for a big turn out. Whitney Vogel will be traveling to the Bay Area to help with the event there. Together with the Alameda County Lead Prevention Program, we have great information to share with home owners and service providers about lead safety in the home and work place. Angie has also been on a one-week West Coast swing. Make sure to check out our Press page to see Angie's recent interviews and tips for lead in the home! The Indianapolis event is also going to be a great success, thanks in part to the Marion County Health Department and our friends at the Improving Kids' Environment Coalition. Feel free to stop by anytime from 10am to 2pm if you are in the area Saturday. Also, service providers don't forget that you have one more day to register for training in Indianapolis and the San Francisco Bay Area!