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Lead-Based Paint: Get the Facts

Monday, June 18, 2012
by Don DeHanas, Associate Broker

Lead-based paint is most commonly found in homes built before 1978, when lead-based house paint was banned. Lead-based paint is dangerous when it deteriorates, such as when the paint chips or peels. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much for lead-based paint to pose a problem. Simple renovations, normal wear and tear, even the opening and closing of windows and doors can release harmful lead dust into the air. Prolonged exposure to lead can result in harmful side effects and even death. Lead primarily attacks the nervous system. In children, the effects can be learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, anemia, headaches, seizures, coma, and in some cases, death. In adults, reproductive problems, memory lapses, nerve disorders, hearing and vision impairment, muscle and joint problems and high blood pressure, have all been associated with prolonged exposure to lead. Lead is exceptionally dangerous for pregnant women, who can suffer miscarriages and premature births, and their children may suffer fetal brain damage.

Lead exposure is a serious matter, especially for children who are most susceptible to lead poisoning. If your home was built before 1978, there is a strong chance it was painted with lead-based paint. Even if the current coat of paint is lead-free, the layers of paint below may be lead-based, and therefore can be dangerous if uncovered.

If you do suspect your home has lead-based paint, the first crucial step is to have your home properly inspected to determine whether lead paint is present and whether it poses an immediate threat. If you find your paint is lead-based and want to remove it, beware that removing lead-based paint improperly can be just as dangerous as doing nothing at all. Note: the EPA does not recommend removing lead-based paint yourself. Instead, you should consult professionals for the removal of lead-based paint. Click here to find lead dust sampling technicians and lead-certified renovation specialists near you.

When it comes to the safety of you and our family, don’t take chances. If your house was built before 1978, have your house inspected.

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Beat the Heat

Monday, June 11, 2012
by Don DeHanas, Associate Broker

As the summer heats up you may be looking for smart ways to cool down. The following are five simple ways to beat the heat, so your summertime fun doesn’t have to take a beating.

  1. Become a fan of the fan! If you don’t have an air conditioner, simply fill a large bowl with ice and place it in front of a regular room fan. And even if you have an air conditioner, use a room fan to help circulate the cool air even better.
  2. Add a little spice to your life! Have you ever wondered why food from hot places—such as India and Mexico—tends to be on the spicy side? It has everything to do with sweat. Hot peppers contain a natural chemical called capsaicin, which signals your body to perspire. And perspiration, as we all know, works to cool your body down as it evaporates on your skin. So, try adding red chili flakes to your favorite dishes. Spaghetti sauce, fried chicken, even salads can benefit from a little kick.
  3. Don’t get low on H2O! As you sweat, your body loses the water essential to keeping you hydrated. Dehydration, in turn, causes your temperature to rise. So, it’s crucial to replenish your body’s water supply. Make sure to keep a bottle of water on you at all times. And if you find water too boring, try adding fresh ingredients—such as citrus fruits, berries, or mint—to a pitcher of water for a burst of flavor. But make sure to limit your consumption of beverages that contain alcohol, added sugar and caffeine, which are actually dehydrating.
  4. Go barefoot! One of the fastest ways to feel cooler throughout your body is to cool your feet off first. So, go ahead, flick off those shoes and feel the grass between your toes! 
  5. Draw those blinds! The sunlight coming in through your windows is a major contributor to the increased temperature of your home. West-facing and south-facing rooms are especially susceptible to this type of heat exchange. Keeping your shades drawn during the sunniest hours can reduce temperatures significantly. Roller shades, which are easy to install, are a relatively inexpensive option, while insulated curtains are a bit more of an investment. However, insulated curtains are also effective at keeping your house warm in the winter, so consider it an investment that pays for itself all year long.
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The DeHanas Team
DeHanas Real Estate Services
601 Post Office Road, Suite 2D
Waldorf MD 20602
Office: 301-870-1717
1-800-842-0190
Fax: 240-754-7867
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Servicing all Anne Arundel County, Calvert County, Charles County, and Prince George's County as well as Annapolis, Bowie, Chesapeake Beach, Crofton, Dunkirk, Edgewater, Ft. Meade, Huntingtown, La Plata, North Beach, Odenton, Owings, Pasadena, Severn, Waldorf, and the Upper Marlboro areas of Maryland, all of Washington DC, and Northern Virginia, including Alexandria, Arlington, and King George County real estate advertised in this website are subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap and familial status, or national origin, or any intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. DeHanas Real Estate Services will not knowingly accept any listing agreement for real estate sales in Anne Arundel County, Calvert County, Charles County, and Prince George's County as well as Annapolis, Bowie, Chesapeake Beach, Crofton, Dunkirk, Edgewater MD, Ft. Meade, Huntingtown, La Plata, North Beach, Odenton, Owings, Pasadena, Severn, Waldorf, and the Upper Marlboro, all of Washington DC, and Northern Virginia, including Alexandria, Arlington, and King George County areas which are in violation of the law. Our clients and customers are informed that all dwellings advertised on our website in Anne Arundel County, Calvert County, Charles County, and Prince George's County as well as Annapolis, Bowie, Chesapeake Beach, Crofton, Dunkirk, Edgewater MD, Ft. Meade, Huntingtown, La Plata, North Beach, Odenton, Owings, Pasadena, Severn, Waldorf, and the Upper Marlboro, all of Washington DC, and Northern Virginia, including Alexandria, Arlington, and King George County areas are available on an equal opportunity basis. All prices and finance claims appearing in this site are subject to change without notice.