Lead Paint??

[Faydowntown]

Hey, I have just bought a heat gun to take the 6000 layers of paint off the banister. I have just came across lead paint online and now im having a panic. My house was built in the 1960s and im wondering what the chances of there being lead on the banister that ive causally been burning off?

 

[footprints]

A heat gun does not "burn off" paint if used correctly just makes it soft and easy to scrape off. the old way of using a blowlamp often set the paint on fire when it did give off fumes.
Have a look on line for lead test kits, loads out there. I got some from amazon, just a stick you rub on the surface and look for a colour change.
That said I have used a blowlamp on pld paint in the distant past and I am still here to talk about it so don't panic.
You can use chemical strippers but sooooo messy!
Sanding it off is a no no too.