We own an older heritage home and most of the electric receptacles are two prong outlets. Are there any issues we should be aware of concerning these outlets?

It is quite common to find two prong grounded and ungrounded outlets in homes built before 1960. Whether these outlets are unsafe is a matter of discussion. First, you should purchase an inexpensive two-wire outlet tester to determine if the outlet box is grounded or ungrounded. There is a potential safety hazard if the box is not grounded because a loose hot wire or terminal from the outlet can contact the metal box. The live box will now become a shock and fire hazard. Don’t just replace a two slot receptacle with a modern three prong grounded outlet. This will provide a false sense of security to any user who would assume the outlet is grounded.

However, you can install a ground wire for the receptacle. It may be connected to a nearby water pipe or carried back to the main electric panel. You can also replace the outlet with a GFI receptacle. This is not as good as a fully grounded circuit because in some circumstances you can still get a very brief shock before the GFI interrupts the circuit. With a fully grounded circuit you will not get any shock. Still, a GFI outlet is better protection and often easier to install than a fully grounded circuit. Remember that any appliance (including computer equipment) that comes equipped with three-prong plug relies on the grounded outlet to function safely. Home computers for example, dissipate static charges through the ground wire. The GFI solution will not help in this case because it is not a grounded outlet.  Consider consulting with a certified electrician if you are in doubt about the ground requirements for certain appliances. A tradesperson may recommend installing some fully grounded branch circuits if you.