Common Household Dangers for Children

Tragic household accidents happen every day. Poisonings, drowning, and suffocation fill the evening news. No parent should ever have to deal with the heartbreak and regret that follows a preventable accident. Here are some common household dangers everyone should be aware of.

Medications

Pills look a lot like candy and liquid medications resemble juice. According to the CDC, 568,939 children were unintentionally exposed to pharmaceuticals between 2001 and 2003. While most of these cases were not deadly, they could have been. 95 percent of poisoning deaths in the US are due to medications. Medications must be stored in childproof containers in high, locked cabinets.

Cleaning Supplies

Household cleaning products may be harmful and even fatal to children if ingested. Liquid detergents and sprays are often brightly colored and resemble juice. Keep all cleaning chemicals out of reach, preferably up high and in a locked cupboard. Never leave cleaning supplies under the sink, even if it has a child safety latch.

Standing Water

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that 350 children under the age of 5 drown each year in swimming pools. Yet it's not just pools that are dangerous. Any amount of standing water is hazardous to small children. Bathtubs, buckets, toilets, and hot tubs also present a drowning risk. Never leave standing water anywhere a child may get into it.

Drapery/ Blind Cords

Hanging cords can lead to strangulation. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recorded 160 strangulations involving window blinds between 1991 and 2000. Cords must be kept out of a child’s reach at all times.

Plastic Bags

Dry cleaning bags, garbage bags, and plastic grocery bags are all dangerous for small children and can lead to suffocation. Promptly dispose of or recycle plastic bags.

Latex Balloons

Children love playing with balloons. However, latex balloons can be a choking hazard and suffocation risk. Since 1973, at least 110 children have chocked to death on a balloon. If inhaled, a balloon completely blocks the airways. Don’t let a young child attempt to blow up a balloon, bite an inflated balloon, or chew on a deflated balloon.

Washing Machines

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 20,000 children under 15 needed emergency room care for washing machine related injuries between 1993 and 2000. Children may become trapped inside and should never be allowed to play near a washing machine.

Perfumes and Personal Care Items

Perfumes and personal care items like mouthwash are the number one source of poisoning reported to US poison control centers. Keep all hygiene supplies out of children's reach.

Driveway

Lack of supervision, even for a moment, can be dangerous. 116 children die in the US every year after being backed over in their own driveway. Never let children play in the driveway unsupervised, even for a moment.

Plants

Many common household plants are poisonous for children. These include butter cups, catnip plants, English Ivy, Hydrangea, Iris, Lily of the Valley, and many others. Be sure to research online to see if your houseplants are safe for children.
Jennifer D. Melville

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