All children, especially when they are very young, put things in their mouths as part of learning and exploring their world. This is one reason why hundreds of children every year are victims of accidental poisonings. Parents can prevent many of these accidents by identifying and locking away toxic materials.
But in case your child finds them anyway, you should find out what to do in advance. In any case of poisoning, take him to the nearest hospital immediately; if you don't have transport, then dial 999.
Not all hazardous substances are obviously lethal. You can't hope to understand which is which, and what exactly is in everything. For children under six, for instance, iron pills are highly toxic, as are pesticides, petrol and lighter fluids. Cosmetics and personal grooming supplies, cleaning solutions and plants are also common culprits in non-fatal accidents.
How can I keep my child safe?
Your best safety tactic is extreme caution. Assume all cleaning products, substances used in the workshop or garage, and beauty products are dangerous. Invest in a large medicine cabinet with a safety lock, and put it in a place which is not easily accessible to a child. Keep any household substance which you feel is dubious in this cupboard or locked away in the garage.
Don't leave medicines in a room as a reminder to take them -- write yourself a note instead. Don't carry medicines in your pocket or handbag, and don't allow your child to play with empty medicine containers (he may just end up teaching himself how to open the child-proof lid!).
Here are some other things you can do:
On holiday and staying in other people's houses
Remember to keep an eye on the whereabouts of medicines and other potentially dangerous substances -- not everyone's house is organised with crawling babies and curious toddlers in mind.
Be methodical
Make a room-by-room list of hazardous substances. Identify all the harmful items in your household, and make sure they're clearly labelled and out of reach.
Don't forget the obvious
While there are an infinite number of toxic substances out there, just a handful of common items are responsible for most poison-related 999 calls.
Don't leave medicines in a room as a reminder to take them -- write yourself a note instead. Don't carry medicines in your pocket or handbag, and don't allow your child to play with empty medicine containers (he may just end up teaching himself how to open the child-proof lid!).
Here are some other things you can do:
On holiday and staying in other people's houses
Remember to keep an eye on the whereabouts of medicines and other potentially dangerous substances -- not everyone's house is organised with crawling babies and curious toddlers in mind.
Be methodical
Make a room-by-room list of hazardous substances. Identify all the harmful items in your household, and make sure they're clearly labelled and out of reach.
Don't forget the obvious
While there are an infinite number of toxic substances out there, just a handful of common items are responsible for most poison-related 999 calls.
What are the common household hazards?
For children under the age of six, the leading dangers are:
Household cleaning products
Assume that they are all dangerous. Your list should include:
Pills and medicines
Always assume that any medicine your child takes, be it prescribed for you or for him, can be dangerous. Even vitamin supplements are fatal in large doses. Keep them locked in the cupboard. These include:
Cosmetics
Lock them in the medicine cabinet. Even an everyday product such as hair remover can be dangerous if swallowed.
Paint thinner and paint remover, petrol, paraffin and metal polishes
Keep them locked out of your child's way in the storeroom or garden shed. Don't let him into these spaces unsupervised.
Pesticides
Lock them away.
Adult substances
Tobacco can be lethal to a child. One cigarette could kill a one-year-old, if swallowed. A large swig of neat spirits could kill a toddler.
Household cleaning products
Assume that they are all dangerous. Your list should include:
- drain cleaner;
- oven cleaner;
- toilet cleaner;
- dishwasher detergent; rust remover.
Pills and medicines
Always assume that any medicine your child takes, be it prescribed for you or for him, can be dangerous. Even vitamin supplements are fatal in large doses. Keep them locked in the cupboard. These include:
- prescription drugs, especially antidepressants and time-release drugs, which have a cumulative effect;
- travel medicines.
Cosmetics
Lock them in the medicine cabinet. Even an everyday product such as hair remover can be dangerous if swallowed.
Paint thinner and paint remover, petrol, paraffin and metal polishes
Keep them locked out of your child's way in the storeroom or garden shed. Don't let him into these spaces unsupervised.
Pesticides
Lock them away.
Adult substances
Tobacco can be lethal to a child. One cigarette could kill a one-year-old, if swallowed. A large swig of neat spirits could kill a toddler.
A few final words of caution
Read the labels on all household products before buying them, and try to use the least-toxic ones. Among the household products generally considered less hazardous are:- non-chlorine bleaches;
- vinegar;
- borax
- beeswax;
- mineral oil
- compressed air drain openers (rather than corrosive liquids).
Don't rely on child-resistant containers. They aren't childproof. No bottle top can be made so fail-safe that a child can't find some way to get it off. It is not unusual for a two-year-old, left alone for 30 minutes, to break down the best devices of the manufacturer.
Keep medicines, pesticides, and even detergents in their original containers. Rewrite any labels that get smudged so that you know exactly what is in each bottle. Never put poisonous or toxic products in containers that were once used for food.
Never refer to any kind of medicine as sweets. Even if you are trying to get a reluctant toddler to take his cough syrup, don't treat it as something good to eat. Children learn by imitation, so take your own medicine when they are not watching.
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