CHILDPROOFING YOUR VINTAGE HOME

• Babies and young children may put their hands and other objects in their mouths. These objects may have lead dust on them. 
• Children's growing bodies absorb more lead. 
• Children's brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.

The National Lead Information Center, located online at http://www.epa.gov/lead/leadinfo.htm offers information about lead hazards and their prevention.
2- Safety railings may have spaces wide enough for children to fit through. Check stairways, decks, lofts, etc. to make sure that the balusters, or rails, are no more than 3 1/2 inches apart, so a child can't push their head through. Requirements for newer construction specify smaller spaces to prevent children from getting stuck or falling. Railings can be replaced, but if this affects the architectural character of the property, try banister shields – a piece of Plexiglas that closes off the gaps between balusters. All parents should think about moving items that can be climbed away from banisters, railings and half walls.
3- Ungrounded electrical outlets are common in older homes. The most noticeable shortcoming with vintage electrical systems is the wall outlets - specifically the lack of grounding and the shortage of available receptacles.  Ungrounded outlets increase shock hazards and may expose electronic equipment to possible damage. If the outlets are the old 2-prong type, the absence of grounding is visibly apparent. If your home has been upgraded to 3-prong fixtures, be sure that grounding has been provided.

Another issue exists if there are an insufficient number of outlets installed. Parents may use extension cords, which can overload circuits and create fire hazards. Multiple outlet power strips may be a better solution.

Get covers for your electrical outlets that are regularly used. You may want to try sliding outlet places, which replace the existing outlet plate and have a door that slides closed to cover the outlet when it’s not in use. For outlets that are rarely used, outlet plugs prevent access.

4- Tempered safety glass was not required in old homes. This issue affects all large vertical glass areas – including sliding glass doors, floor level windows and tub and shower enclosures.

Making tempered safety glass involves a process that heats, then quickly cools, the glass to harden it. The tempering process increases the strength of the glass to five to 10 times that of untempered glass.  Tempered safety glass breaks differently than regular clear glass. When tempered glass is struck, it shatters into little pebble-like pieces, without sharp edges. Normal windowpanes and mirrors break into jagged pieces.

Upgrading to current standards is recommended the safety of adults as well as children.