Is lead paint on stairs dangerous for babies and toddlers?

[wishIwasonholiday10]

We have a 1930s house. Mostly in good condition but some paint has flaked off the woodwork around the stairs (on the skirting board and the corner of the banister). The under layers that have been exposed test post for lead. Is this dangerous for babies and toddlers? Do we need to take any precautions? We would like to redecorate at some point but can’t afford it at the moment and will probably get a professional in when we do.

If they eat it, yes it would be dangerous. I would make sure the flakes are vacuumed up.

I would add I don’t think there is much actively flaking at the moment but the earlier paint has been exposed in quite a few places.

As pp said, yes if they eat it. It's why lead paint on cots was an issue because of teething babies gnawing on the bars.

But you know about it, and it's unlikely that, even if you didn't, you'd let your tiny child sit on the stairs chewing the banister. Hoover up any flakes, maybe a quick touch up for now of any particularly flaky areas to stop it getting worse, and just be aware in case you've not fixed it in 5 years time and your child likes to sit and pick at it.

Just paint over the exposed parts with a sealer primer and then a colour match top coat until you have in a decorator