Older homes may have the architectural details and charm you’re seeking, but don’t forget that many house a hidden danger: lead paint. This video on MSNBC should remind people that lead paint is still a concern. According to the Center for Healthy Housing, an estimated 38 million homes in the U.S. still have lead paint. If your house was built before 1978, when lead-based paint was banned, you should have a certified lead-based paint inspector check it out. Today, 250,000 children suffer from lead poisoning, which can lead to permanent brain damage. Most people believe that it is lead chips that poison people, but in fact is it usually lead dust from deteriorating paint or renovations that are the cause.

Credit: MSNBC video