Newswise — Children, especially toddlers, can be particularly susceptible to poisoning by common household items often inadvertently left within easy reach by family members, says Dr. Kathleen Delaney, toxicology specialist at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
"One thing we do see is children who take medications that are in the day-of-the-week pillboxes " often in grandparents' homes." Dr. Delaney says. "The pillboxes aren't childproof, so they need to be out of reach or locked away."
Caregivers, she said, should also make sure that after social gatherings, all cigarette butts and alcoholic drinks should be cleared away. Both of these can be toxic to children. "Small children may eat the cigarette butts; the nicotine can make them very sick," Dr. Delaney says. Alcohol may lower their blood sugar to dangerous levels.
She says mouthwashes often contain alcohol and need to be removed from children's reach or put in cabinets with child-safety locks, just like medicines and household cleaners. Parents should also keep children out of the garage, where dangerous cleaners or solvents are frequently stored.
"If a child ingests any foreign substance or medication, the best thing is to do is call a poison control center immediately," Dr. Delaney advises.
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