Poison hazards lurk in every room of the house

Thursday, April 14, 2016

When it comes to making not only a happy home, but a safe one, protecting little ones from unintentional poisoning should be among every family’s top priorities.

Although poisonings that occur at home often are linked to commonly used medicines and household cleaners, the reality is potential hazards lurk all around the house.

“Every room in your house most likely contains some poison hazard. That’s why it’s a good idea to go room by room to make sure all the proper precautions are in place,” said Gina Peek, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension housing and consumer specialist.

In the kitchen and bathrooms, medicines and chemicals should be stored up high and out of sight or in cabinets with child-resistant locks or latches.

“Keep all your medicines and household cleaners in the original packaging,” Peek said. “After you finish taking a medication or using a cleaner, tightly close the lid then put the product away.”

Meanwhile, laundry products also should be stored up high and out of sight or in locked or latched cabinets. Unlike laundry detergents, which generally cause a mild upset stomach if ingested by children, single-load laundry packets could cause vomiting, wheezing and gasping; serious breathing problems; and severe irritation to the eyes.

“While convenient for doing your laundry, these packets are usually brightly colored and can appear to be candy or a toy to children,” Peek said.

Manufacturers have worked to redesign packaging to help cut the risk, but families should still take precautions such as properly storing laundry products, including single-load packets.

Batteries, which are frequently found in lots of items in bedrooms, living rooms and family rooms, present both a chocking hazard and a poison hazard.

In particular, coin cell batteries commonly power small electronics such as remotes, keyless entry controls and gaming devices. Children can choke on the small batteries and, if swallowed, these batteries can release hydroxide in as little as two hours. Hydroxide can cause chemical burns to the throat.

“As an added precaution, you can secure battery compartments with tape, especially when they are not anchored by screws,” Peek said.

Finally, families should ensure the home’s HVAC system, which may be found in the basement, garage or attic, is in good working order and inspected once a year by a trained professional. HVAC systems that are not working properly may produce carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas known as a silent killer.

Other fuel burning appliances, such as gas water heaters, gas stoves and ovens, grills and portable generators, also can produce CO.

“Only use portable generators outside and at least 20 feet away from open doors, windows and vents,” Peek said. “Install CO alarms in the hallways near bedrooms and sleeping areas. Check the labeling on all alarms to see when they should be replaced. If you’re not sure or think the alarm is 10 years or older, go ahead and replace it.”