If you own an older house, you’re probably aware of the dangers of lead paint, but you may not know how widespread it is or how to work around it if you need to. According to the EPA, over two-thirds of homes built before 1960 have lead paint. That covers a wide range of houses, so it’s important to consider whether you have lead before moving ahead with remodeling.

This is National Poison Prevention Week, so it’s a natural time to focus on the potential risks of lead poisoning. Start by finding out where the lead might be lurking and what you can do to protect your family.

Remodeling with Lead Paint in Mind

Lead paint doesn’t have to mean the end to your remodeling dreams, however. We have lead in our house and there are many ways to do remodeling around it. Here are a few tips from HUD that can help you get in the know:

• If you have young children, avoid sanding, scraping, and moving any dust throughout the house.
• If the paint is in decent shape, paint over it. This adds another buffer layer before the lead can chip off.
• Don’t eat or drink in the room you’re remodeling in.

What Contractors Should Know

When hiring a contractor, make sure he or she knows how to work with lead paint. Ask the contractor for details on how he or she plans to work around potential lead paint threats. According to Oregon’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, you should seal the room, keep all debris contained, and avoid any unnecessary scraping and sanding. Wearing eye masks, rubber gloves, and washing your work clothes separately can also help prevent unintentional transfer.

Lead paint doesn’t have to derail your home improvement plans–but it should definitely impact how you approach your remodel.