Dangerous Products that Put Your Children at Risk

How well do you baby proof your home? When my kids were young I went through the entire house on my hands and knees looking for dangerous situations at the child's level. I covered all electrical outlets, locked kitchen and bath cabinets and covered sharp edges on furniture, just to name a few. After years of being empty nesters, it's time to do this again with the grandchildren. But did you know there are many more dangers that lurk in your home and even some that affect older kids, not just babies? Here are some of the big-kid dangers that could be present in your home. After reading this article, please do an inventory on your own home!

Get rid of mercury thermometers --

A while back, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) called for the nationwide elimination of mercury thermometers. First, the entire glass casing has always been dangerous, but if the thermometer breaks the child can inhale the mercury, which can lead to neurological damage. The mercury vaporizes and worse, if you vacuum a spill from a broken unit, more of this metal converts to a gas and permeates the house. So, I hope if you still have these thermometers, contact your city health department as to how to dispose of these units. Make sure to have a mercury-free thermometer for taking a child's temperature, like digital units, either oral or for the ear. There are even new devices that can be rubbed across the forehead for a reading.

Mothballs are dangerous for young and old --

The strong scent of this product may drive the moths away, but prolonged exposure can cause liver and kidney damage along with irritation of the eyes, throat and lungs. A safer way to protect your woolens is to wrap cedar wood chips and even lemon peels into a homemade bag of cheesecloth and place these into drawers and closets.

Stow away all medications --

We know to hide medications and even vitamins from young children as they may think the pills are candy. My youngest son got into a family member's medication bottle when a toddler, but thank goodness the pills were prescribed vitamins or it could have been fatal. I still called poison control and followed their instructions, but in this case the outcome was not dangerous. Yet, how many parents or grandparents leave their prescription bottles around thinking that older kids won't bother them? You never know when a child may experiment with drugs for the all-time high. We already know about kids getting into anxiety medications like Xanax, but they also look for a high with over-the-counter cough medicines and decongestants. No drugs are safe left in a child's reach.

What about rubber cement?

How many remember using rubber cement with your arts and crafts projects from school. It was used quite often in the past, but children can get sick from the fumes. And, not only that, but rubber cement can ignite when near a flame such as a pilot light of a gas stove. It's a dangerous product amongst kids, so better stock up on school glue or water-based paste in your home.

A beauty product that causes burns --

It's a fact that clothes irons can cause nasty skin burns that sometimes takes a person to an urgent care center or even the hospital. But did you ever think of curling irons? Children love to imitate parents and even want the beautiful curls they make. Unfortunately, these irons need to be put in a place where kids can't access them. Parents need to tell their daughters that they can have curls, but only when mom is around to use this styling product. It's best to replace the curling iron with Velcro rollers in the bathroom drawer for curious kids.

These are only a few products I've touched on in this article, but don't forget about other substances like pesticides, drain cleaners and potent chemicals for cleaning. All these must be kept locked away and out of the child's view and reach. Also, don't just toss dangerous products into the trash can or down the drain. Contact your local fire department about hazardous waste removal. Some communities even offer a free pick-up service. Use these services to save the Earth and your kids as well.

Valuable Resource:

10 Dangerous Everyday Things in Your Home

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