Can you picture a skull and crossbones sticker on your childhood landline phone? Did it also have a number like the following?<\/p>\n
Poison Control
\nDial 1-800-222-1222<\/p><\/blockquote>\nThat landline may be long gone, but two things haven’t changed. Babies and young children are just as curious, impulsive, and vulnerable to ingesting poison as ever. And that number still works to get 24\/7 advice. What has changed is some of the household items in our homes.<\/span><\/p>\n
Today\u2019s households contain many everyday items that can be dangerous to children if ingested.<\/h2>\n
Babyproofing today requires a keen eye<\/a> by parents and caregivers, including grandparents! Some examples of dangerous household items include:<\/p>\n
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- Detergent pods<\/li>\n
- E-cigarettes<\/li>\n
- Button batteries<\/li>\n
- Hand sanitizer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Whether you\u2019re hosting children at your house or raising your own, reviewing your home\u2019s \u201cDanger Zones\u201d can be a helpful way to reduce risk of a child ingesting something harmful.<\/p>\n
Here are some of the most common danger areas:<\/p>\n
Laundry room:<\/h4>\n
Kids can quickly put themselves in danger by popping colorful laundry detergent pods into their mouths (mistaking them for candy or treats). These pods are easily swallowed and can burst open. The pods contain concentrated detergent that can immediately irritate your child\u2019s throat and gut. Solution: Use powdered or liquid detergents and keep them out of kids\u2019 reach.<\/p>\n
Kitchen:<\/h4>\n
When it comes to risk, dish detergent pods are just as dangerous as laundry pods. They contain strong chemicals that strip food from dishes. Other kitchen and home cleaning supplies are toxic if sprayed into the eyes or swallowed. These can also irritate the skin. As with the laundry, use liquid or powder dish detergent, not pods. Remember to lock all kitchen cabinets containing potentially dangerous chemicals.<\/p>\n
Garage:<\/h4>\n
Whether the garage is used for cars or just storage, look for items that could be a danger for a child to get their hands on. Motor oil, fertilizer, antifreeze, pest control items, and paint can are a few of the dangerous items that can be touched, spilled, or ingested. Properly dispose of things you no longer need, and store others in a locked cabinet. Kids should always be accompanied when in a garage due to the possibility of injury from tools, vehicles, and the opening and closing of garage doors.<\/p>\n
Bathrooms:<\/h4>\n
Many families already recognize the dangers of kids accessing medications. The medicine cabinet is not a safe storage space with kids around. Both over the counter and prescription medications should be stored securely where children can\u2019t access them. Bathrooms contain additional hazards that are easy to overlook when kid-proofing a home. Even small amounts of hand sanitizer, mouthwash, and cosmetics can be harmful if ingested; simple changes in storage of these items can reduce the risk of accidental ingestions.<\/p>\n
What else can you do to prevent childhood poisoning?<\/h2>\n
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- Put the national Poison Control<\/a> number in your cell phone just in case you ever need it.<\/li>\n
- Watch for button (or \u201ccoin\u201d) batteries, commonly found in key fobs, remote controls, hearing aids, toys and musical greeting cards. Kids often swallow these, which can cause severe complications in the gut.<\/li>\n
- Ask grandparents and other caregivers to check their homes for potential poisoning risks. Confirm they have a safety plan in place.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Identifying possible hazards in your home can help prevent an emergency. Reviewing your home\u2019s \u201cdanger zones\u201d can help keep kids safe as they grow and explore the world around them.<\/p>\n
Resources for Parents<\/h4>\n
American Academy of Pediatrics<\/h4>\n