Living in a old home has its perks -- lofty ceilings and plenty of charm. But since becoming a parent, and since my children are still so young, I've learned that living in an older home means being diligent about lead exposure.

Homes built before the 1970s are likely to have been painted with lead paint, and window wells are a notorious place for toddlers to find paint chips and dust to stick in their mouths. Children who live in older homes often have a blood test done at age one to screen for lead exposure. Gary at DIY Life has an excellent post about ways to keep your toddler safe from lead in your home, including keeping window wells and doorways clean and washing hands before eating.

If you live in an older home, or if you child frequent visits or stays in a home built before 1970, learn more about lead poisoning and how to prevent it here.