Immediate action guide
Lead Abatement Contractor Emergency Action Steps
What to do right now before a lead abatement contractor arrives, with clear lines for 911, utility, and contractor calls.
First rule
If there is fire, smoke, shock, collapse risk, gas odor, carbon monoxide alarm, injury, trapped people, or any uncertainty about safety, leave the area and call 911. Use these steps only when you can act from a safe position.
E1
Peeling Lead Paint Disturbance
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the peeling painted surface, floor below, windowsill, and dust path.
- Close the room and keep children, pets, and pregnant occupants away from dust or chips.
- Lay a disposable cover at the doorway and avoid sweeping or vacuuming chips.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a lead-safe contractor or abatement professional before disturbing the surface again.
Do not do this
- - Do not dry-sand, scrape, heat-gun, or vacuum suspected lead paint.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E2
Dust After Old Paint Sanding
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the sanding area, vents, floors, clothing, and nearby rooms.
- Stop work immediately and close doors, vents, and traffic paths if reachable without spreading dust.
- Leave dust in place for the abatement pro; remove shoes before entering clean areas.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a lead professional and describe the home age, paint location, tools used, and rooms affected.
Do not do this
- - Do not run HVAC, sweep, use a shop vacuum, or shake dusty drop cloths.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E3
Lead Paint Chips Accessible
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the chips, windowsill, porch floor, soil edge, or child-accessible surface.
- Keep children and pets away and cover the area with a disposable barrier without grinding chips.
- Use tape or a closed door to prevent access until a lead-safe cleanup plan is set.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a certified lead contractor for cleanup, stabilization, and testing guidance.
Do not do this
- - Do not let anyone pick up chips bare-handed or place them in regular play areas.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E4
Water Damage on Pre-1978 Paint
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the wet painted wall, ceiling, trim, or plaster in the older home.
- Stop the water source and keep the painted material intact until assessed.
- Catch drips with a bucket and avoid peeling or cutting swollen paint layers.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a lead-safe contractor and the leak-source contractor before demolition or drying work.
Do not do this
- - Do not tear out wet painted plaster or drywall until lead risk is reviewed.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E5
Contractor Barrier Failure
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the work containment, doorway, hallway, vents, and clean rooms nearby.
- Pause work and keep occupants out of the area until containment is restored.
- Close doors and vents from the clean side and avoid moving dusty materials.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call the abatement supervisor and request documented cleanup steps before work resumes.
Do not do this
- - Do not accept verbal assurances if dust or chips left the containment area.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.