Time for Kids: Poison safety at home

MADISON, Wis. — Odds are there are things in your home that you don’t even know would be poisonous if ingested, especially for a small child under the age of 6.

If you have uncertainties about these dangers, you’re not alone. SSM Health pediatrician Dan Beardmore says it’s best to be alert very early on.

“As soon as they’re able to put things in their mouth and be mobile, which can be as young as three or maybe four months of age, we expect kids to be walking and getting into things when they’re toddlers, but even the youngest of age can surprise us by rolling or scooting somewhere,” Beardmore says. “Everything they find goes to the mouth at a very young age because that’s how they learn about the world around them, and unfortunately how they can get into some dangerous situations.”

As young ones still work on discovering what’s safe and what’s not, Beardmore says common household dangers can include medicines, cigarettes, tobacco or vaping products, batteries, cleaning supplies, and pod-style detergents.

He says the best thing you can do to avoid an issue is to keep all medicines and possible hazards up high and locked away.

Our Time for Kids: Recipe for Health team is asking what you want to hear about. Let us know what health topics you’re interested in or share your family’s health story online at ssmhealth.com/timeforkids.

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