The name of my blog is a bit tongue-in-cheek. Although I do tend to feel overprotective of my children, I try not to “hover” or interfere in their lives more than I should.
But I do joke about being A Helicopter Mom because of how much I worry. While I don’t interfere with their learning experiences, I do try to prevent any harm or danger from coming into their lives whenever possible. That, of course, includes harmful chemicals and toxins.
There are a lot of common household products that we know are dangerous, but others can be surprising. Because of their bright colors or fruity scents, many items that we keep in our homes can be tempting for small children who think they’ve found a new toy or tasty treat. It’s important to keep all potentially dangerous items out of children’s reach.
Did you know that 9 out of 10 accidental poisonings happen at home? Although most of us do our best to child-proof our homes, we may be overlooking some crucial dangers. Hand sanitizers, detergent packets, button batteries, medications and e-cigarettes all pose a bigger risk than many realize.
Safe Storage and Disposal:
Be sure to keep all household cleaners and medications in the original containers. Keep them out of sight and out of reach from children in a locked cabinet, if possible. Child-proof locks can be added to cabinet doors, pantry and linen closet doors and drawers to keep little hands out. Immediately dispose of unused or old chemicals and medicines.
Always Put Items Away:
While many parents normally keep dangerous items away from their children, it’s easy to get distracted when multitasking or cleaning. Be sure to remain vigilant when using these products and be certain they are returned to safe storage.
Be Prepared:
Keep the Poison Control Hotline phone number handy – on your refrigerator and saved on your phone (1-800-222-1222). If you suspect that a child has ingested or come into contact with any poison, call the Poison Help Number immediately.
This year, along with nonprofit partners like the American Red Cross, Safe Kids Worldwide, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Nationwide’s Make Safe Happen program will focus on educating caregivers on four critical at-home safety risks. Those risks, furniture and TV tip-overs, poisoning, drowning and fire, are all serious and potentially fatal issues.
To bring more attention to these risks, Nationwide is working to empower and inspire one million safety actions by the end of the year. I’ll be sharing helpful tips and information throughout the year that you can implement in your home to help keep your family safe.
Learn more about poison safety at the Nationwide Poison Prevention page.
