“Poison-Proof Your Home”

As new parents, we hear about childproofing your home constantly. One thing we forget to do during our baby proofing is that we have to protect our children from poisons as well. Kids are curious and will get into anything and everything. In 2000, 2.2 million poison exposures were reported. We need to be careful that what we have in their reach will not harm them.

Some poisons that we need to remove from reach would be medication. All medications including prescriptions, over-the counter and vitamins should be put up high, preferably in a locked cabinet. The cabinet that holds the medication should also have the poison control number taped to it, in case your child does get into the cabinet.

The kitchen is one of the main areas of the home that contains potential poisons. Install child safety locks onto the lower cabinets, or better yet put all potentially hazardous items up high. The kitchen items that are poisonous include; dish soap, dishwasher soap, furniture polish, scouring powder, bleach, drain cleaner, oven cleaner, deodorizer and insecticides. Alcoholic beverages are also very dangerous to young children, so store those items up high or in a locked cabinet.

In the bathroom there are several items that need to be locked up. Any cleaning supplies you keep in the bathroom need to be locked up. Baby powders and oils should also be kept out of reach. If baby oil is fatal if ingested. It’s best not to even have it in the house, but if you do make sure your child can’t reach it. Shaving cream, shampoo, hair color, nail polish, cosmetics and perfume are some of the other items most people do not think to remove from the child’s reach.

The laundry room also contains several items that need to be stored safely. These items include; detergent, stain removers, bleach, vinegar and ammonia. Also remember to never mix vinegar ammonia and bleach as it produces a deadly gas.

In the garages, be sure to look out for fertilizer, insecticides, pesticides, weed killer, car wax, antifreeze, motor oil, lighter fluid, caulking materials, turpentine, paint, paint thinner, gasoline, varnish and cleaners. All of these items are very poisonous and easy to get into. Keep all off the garage floor and into locked containers or high on tip-proof shelves.

As you go through your home, get on your hand and knees and look at everything you can get into. Read labels if necessary to see if they could potentially harm your child. The best protection is to not have the item in your home. However, that is not always feasible, so make sure you put them somewhere safe. Also remember to post the poison control number in the medicine cabinet and by the telephone. You never know when you may need to call.