Keeping our children safe and healthy is the biggest priority for parents.
Keeping our children safe and healthy is the biggest priority for parents. It is a natural instinct and massive responsibility that we have undertaken.
We would do anything to protect our little ones. We will put measures in place and buy products that promise to make our homes as safe as possible. The problem with children, however, is that they consistently change.
Just as we have mastered the art of baby-proofing we are met with a toddler. We’ve carefully child-proofed the cupboards and sharp corners only to discover that their height and age now dictates yet another change. We constantly have to be on the look-out for brand new dangers and hazards and it is completely exhausting.
It is really helpful to know what products and items carry dangers in your home. If you are aware that they are hazardous you can do a good job of ensuring that they are kept out of the reach of your children.
Here are 10 household products and items that are hazardous to your children in one way or another and for this reason they should never be accessible to your little ones.
1. Dishwasher tablets and washing detergent capsules. While all dishwasher and laundry products contain a hazard, the “tablet” or “capsule” versions are particularly hazardous because their shape, colour and size really appeal to little eyes. They can often resemble a sweet treat and curiosity can have disastrous effects. All capsules and tablets should be kept up high in a locked press where children cannot access them. Most will come with child-safety packaging but extra precautions should be taken.
2. Medicine. All medicine for both adults and children should be kept up high in a child-locked press or cupboard. As a child, I loved the taste of Calpol and my eyes lit up when I saw it. Out of sight, out of mind.
3. Pesticides, like weed killer. While they may be locked away after use you can carry traces of them in o the house on your shoes. Taking shoes off before entering the home can limit the risk here.
4. Products to control pests such as mice or rats. It is recommended to use a product that is not poisonous to humans or animals as pest control can requiring leaving the product in places that are accessible to your children.
5. Certain houseplants can be poisonous. When buying household plants do some research and ensure that they are safe around children.
6. Your handbag. Believe it or not, your handbag is one of the most dangerous items in the home when it comes to children. It contains your keys which are often littered with germs as well as the risk of loose change which is a choking hazard. Prescription medication and toxic perfume may also live inside. Keep it out of your child’s reach at all times.
7. Alcoholic drinks. This one is often missed but alcoholic drinks can often be accessible and easy to open for older children. There is also a risk of them smashing if your child can move them.
8. Mouthwash. Many brands contain high levels of alcohol.
9. Batteries. Both used and old batteries are poisonous and should be stored and disposed of with care.
10. Grapes. The shape of a grape is exactly that of your child’s windpipe. For this reason, grapes are a huge choking hazard and should be cut horizontally before being given to children. Cut grapes as soon as you buy them or at the very least tuck them away at the back of the fridge where children cannot access them freely.
Tracey is a happy mammy to four-year-old Billy. She is a breastfeeder, gentle parent and has recently lost five stone so healthy family eating is her passion! You can find her at www.loveofliving.ie.
