Dear Lee,

We grew up in a house filled with asbestos-fiber ceiling tiles, lead paint and BB guns. We even remember playing with the mercury from a broken thermometer. And, of course, we were surrounded by antique furniture and collectibles, some of which might worry today’s parents. But our parents didn’t know about these no-noes for children. Now with all the warnings about dangerous new products, we thought you’d be interested in our modern parent’s “Collector’s Recall List.”

These are some of the hazards in our house, safe for adults but not small children. An old crib may have unsafe lead-based paint and bars that are spaced too far apart. Old wooden iceboxes can have door latches that trap an adventuresome child who crawls inside. Old Lane cedar chests have been recalled and a replacement latch is available from the company, but many older chests with flip-down locking lids are dangerous. The heavy lid could hit or trap a child who climbs inside. Most of the chemicals used to refinish furniture are poisonous, and the used rags can sometimes burst into flames. Old lamps, toasters and other collectibles with electric cords should be checked. Old wiring can be a fire hazard.

All toys more than 50 years old, especially metal ones, could have lead-based paint, sharp edges and parts small enough to swallow. Snow globes used to be filled with a very indigestible liquid. Metal dollhouse furniture and little girl’s costume jewelry, especially bracelets, were often made of lead. Obviously, so were lead soldiers. Watches from the 1940s with green painted hands that glow in the dark can be a problem-the hands were covered with paint containing radioactive uranium. In the 1980s, some of the parts from those watches were assembled into dangerous brooches. Radioactive rings and bracelets were imported from China in the 1990s. Antique teddy bears had glass eyes held in place by sharp pins-very dangerous because babies like to pull out the eyes. Old recall lists are online for toys made in the last 20 years. And some old toys are being sold on eBay.

Some old country store items, like Radam’s Microbe Killer jars, are radioactive, and others, including old medicine bottles, hold poisonous residue. These probably should be sent to a hazardous waste dump. Some things can’t be used in a microwave or dishwasher. Old dishes, especially ironstone, with any damage to the glaze may have tiny bits of glass that could get into food. Enameled ashtrays, bowls and plates from the ’50s were made with lead-based glazes outlawed today, so never serve food on them. The silver decoration on cocktail glasses of the ’60s and ’70s sometimes turns powdery gray. Throw them out. The gray powder is lead, released by the heat of the dishwasher. Never cook in a copper pan or mold that is not tin-lined. Just use it as a wall decoration. And, of course, never serve food on anything marked “For decorative purposes only.”

But even with all these known dangers from antiques, they may still be safer than eating Chinese shrimp, catfish or eels-all involved in yet another recent recall.