Be Safe / Renovate Safe

Lead – in lots of places
Asbestos – in lots of places
Electrical and Other Fire Safety
Glass Safety
Window Treatment Cord Safety
Latches
Radon
Building, Fire and Health Code issues
And more — I am not the Expert — Consult with a Professional!

Precautionary Pam with this critical reminder:

Renovating, remodeling and living in our midcentury and vintage homes can be gratifying, but please always remember, there can be safety and environmental hazards in the surfaces, layers, materials and products in our homes. Anything old, even New Old Stock, that you buy also may have issues. We all care very much about managing safety and environmental issues properly, so when moving into a home … when undertaking cleaning, repair, remodeling or restoration projects … or when adding old materials (salvaged, used, new old stock, etc.)… be sure to get with your own properly licensed professionals to determine what you are dealing with/working with so that you can make informed decisions how to handle, become familiar with and use recommended best practices, and also learn about the proper disposal of debris, etc.

There can be any number of environmental and/or safety issues in our old houses. Following is a list of some potential issues — but, do not consider this a comprehensive list, because I am not an expert in the continually developing area of environmental and safety hazards in the home:

• Lead may be found in all kinds of locations: in paints on windows, trim, walls, cabinetry, furniture and decorative items of all kinds … in dirt outside … in plumbing/pipes and faucets/fixtures … in ceramic tiles… on enameled sinks and bathtubs… on dinnerware and drinkware … in varnishes on flooring and elsewhere …  in vinyl mini-blinds … in lead crystal drinkware … in old linoleum … on old Christmas ornaments… and potentially more places — do your own research. A few governmental and industry sites with research — but please do your own/get with your own experts — include:.
  • The EPA’s Lead homepage
  • EPA: Before You Renovate
  • EPA’s National Lead Information Center
  • CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
  • CPSC – Protect your family from lead in your home brochure
  • My May 2016 story, Understanding potential lead hazards in old porcelain enamel bathtubs and sinks and ceramic tile of any age
  • Lead Safe America Foundation
  • The HOPE Partnership: Where Lead Lies (Sept. 2006)
  • Ceramic Tile Institute Of America Field Report 2000-11-20 –Subject: Ceramic Tile Lead Hazards and Miscellaneous Other Lead Risks in Residential Remodeling and Construction, by Judson Bryant
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• Asbestos may be found in all kinds of locations: in attic and wall insulation and in other insulation products [wrapping pipes, in attics, in stoves, in lighting, etc.] … in textured paint and patching compounds used on wall and ceilings… in vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives … in adhesives / mastics / mortars … in roofing, siding and shingles … in heat-resistant fabrics … even in Christmas tree and wreath flocking and fake “snow”… and potentially more places — do your own research. One governmental site with research — but please do your own/get with your own experts:.Textured paint and patching compounds used on wall and ceilings. 
  • EPA hosts a website on asbestos in the home.
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• Wiring, fire safety and flammability and toxicity when burning of materials in the house, including lighting, appliances, and vintage materials or other materials not to current codes…
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• Glass in windows, cabinets, patio doors, shower doors and shelving…
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• Window treatment cords…
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• Latches on old furniture and appliances…
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• Slippery surfaces…
• Garage doors without safety sensors…
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• Radon….
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• Any number of building code issues not in place when your house was built.
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• … and… more …. ?

Again: GET AND CONSULT WITH YOUR OWN PROPERLY LICENSED PROFESSIONALS to assess the materials in your house so that you can make informed decisions.