Chicago Tribune

By Heidi Stevens, Tribune Newspapers

"Any time you're doing demolition that will create dust or opening up a wall with insulation in it, don't do it when kids are around," says Matt Lederer, owner of Chicago-based Mahogany Builders, which specializes in custom kitchens and bathrooms. "And nothing toxic out in the open because you know curiosity is going to lead them to stick their finger in it."

Lederer says there's a serious risk of exposing kids to toxic lead if you're working on a home built before 1978, when the federal government banned the use of lead-based paint in housing. As of April, the Environmental Protection Agency passed new regulations that require contractors performing any projects that disturb more than 6 square feet of paint in pre-1978 homes to be certified and trained to prevent lead contamination.

"If your house is pre-1978, let a professional do that," Lederer says. And be sure he or she is trained under the EPA's new guidelines.

If your kids are young enough to nap, you can try to squeeze in projects during that magical two- to three-hour window when they're asleep. But that probably means no loud noises - and the constant worry that today will be the day your little one decides to wake up after a measly 25 minutes. Lederer has a better suggestion.

"Use that nap time - or TV time - prepping the space and getting everything ready to go, so when the kids go down for the night you don't have to spend an hour taping off and getting plastic down," he says. "Get your tools and supplies organized so you don't have to start from ground zero.

"If I'm painting, I'll set them up to paint leaves," says Lederer, of his 2- and 4-year-old sons. "I have them hold the flashlight a lot. Especially if I don't really need the flashlight, it's just a fun way to distract them and tell them they're daddy's helpers. I'll find things they can hand me - 'Can someone hand Daddy the tape?'"