Getting ready for TEDxWilmington has been a challenging yet fascinating experience. I am a teacher, used to finding the right words to express my idea to different audiences. But 12 minutes? Wow! That time goes by so fast! My coach tells me to keep it to 11:00 or 11:30 so I can have room to let the talk “breath” add a last-minute thought, accommodate (hopefully) audience reaction. I keep trimming and recomposing, and I’m finding that I really can express my concepts and thoughts much more concisely than I originally could. This is a skill that will serve me well, long after this talk is over.
My call-to-action is so important to me because I know that we can save so many kids from getting lead poisoned, if we can just raise the awareness of parents and caregivers. If they know the dangers and possible permanent damage to kids exposed to this poison, they will take the necessary steps to protect the kids. They will test the houses, test the kids, and be sure to get rid of any items that contribute to the lead dust or chips in the home. Getting the word out to a group of caregivers, parents, grandparents who might not know – BEFORE the kids get sick, gives them time to take action and protect little ones. I am humbled and grateful to have this opportunity to spread the word!
Three weeks from today the talk will be over. I will have finished the memorization, the final selection of slides, the outfit, I will be thinking about how to get the word out about the talk once it is available. I’m looking forward to that time, but for now, I’d better get back to memorizing the words, and making sure I stay under 11 minutes and 30 seconds!
Kate Kirkwood is a mother of four and lives in New Hampshire. She holds several national and state lead certifications and has formed an educational company called Lead-EDU through which she offers training for contractors, landlords, do-it-yourselfers and parents. Kate has authored a children’s’ book, Skylar Learns About Lead Poisoning and is currently working on a series of books to be released later this year called “lead paint clear and simple”.
Mom and Skylar Learn about lead poisoning by playing a guessing game, which is sometimes funny, and sometimes scary!
Skylar can be either a boy or girl, and age is vague.
This is a read-to-me book for caregivers and children of all ages that is packed with information which will certainly lead to a discussion of lead hazards that might be hiding in your home or school.
Lead Paint from old homes, toys, imports, antiques, water, dust and soil can make people very sick. Young children who are exposed can have permanent brain damage, reduced IQ, learning disabilities, ADHD and a host of other ailments.
For parents and caregivers, this is an opportunity to review or learn the basics: How do we get lead poisoned? What can we do about it? What are the 5 steps we can take to avoid poisoning ourselves and the children in our lives.
If you work for compensation in residential or child-occupied facilities built before 1978, certification is a legal requirement. Whether you’re a contractor, property manager, landlord, painter, plumber, electrician, or any professional disturbing lead-based paint, federal law mandates that you have the appropriate certification.
This includes both individual certification and firm certification, ensuring compliance with EPA and state regulations. Without certification, you could face fines of up to $41,056 per violation, along with the risks of exposing clients, workers, and residents to lead hazards.
Protect your business, your clients, and your team by getting certified in Lead-Safe Work Practices. Our training programs are designed to help you meet all legal requirements, integrate safe work practices, and confidently handle jobs involving lead-based paint.
Schedule a private Lead Safe Certification class for your team! Convenient, personalized training to ensure your group meets compliance requirements and stays informed. Contact us to book your class today!
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