Additional posting 2

Safer Homes

Every one thinks that homes are the safest places for the family. But your children might be in a greater danger in your own house. Many hazards are in side and around the house. However, the most dangerous hazard in the house is the poisoning materials. In this report I will explain the danger of the poisonous materials in homes, how to store them and what to do in case of any child swallowed a poison.

It’s very important to know what the poisoning materials are. Poisoning materials are almost every where in the house. About 90% of poisoning happens at homes by common household products (World of Health). Some common household hazards are drug-medication, personnel cleaning materials, drain cleaners, pesticides, windshield washer solution, toilet bowl cleaner and many other petroleum products. These hazards in some cases are stored in improper places and can be reached by children easily. However, some parents store dangerous chemicals next to food, this act might be extremely dangerous as many brand names packages look alike (USA Today). Medication can be harmful, used improperly or taken in a large quantity (Travisano).

Sixty percent of all accidental poisoning cases happen with children six years and under (USA Today). Therefore, to eliminate the hazards and potential poisoning to children, some steps should be taken over by parents. Keep all poisoning materials and chemicals out of reach of children. Keep all drugs, medications and vitamins in locked cabinets and out of reach of children and never tell a child they are candies (Travisano). An effective solution is to use child-resistant locks on cabinets that contain household chemical material like cleaning products and petroleum products. Also never change the original product container or battle because it will be very difficult to parents and health care provider to recognize the product and to treat the child (USA Today).

If a child has swallowed poisons, parents should calm down and start looking for telltale signs like spills, odors, stains and changes in behaviors. Next, they should check the child’s mouth for tablets, powder, cuts, burns and odors before rinsing out the child’s mouth with water (USA Today). The final step is to call the emergency services and be prepared to answer question such as child’s age, weight, material swallowed, when, how much, and how the child is acting.


In conclusion, poisonous products are every where around us. But knowing these dangerous products and keeping them away from children is the only way to reduce the danger around our kids. Never encourage kids to use chemicals or be in the storing areas alone. A safer home is all about taking care and doing the right action to save our kids.




Bibliography:
"Poisoning." World of Health. Online Detroit. Gale Group 2007. Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. Higher Colleges of Technology. 26 Nov. 2008 .
Travisano, Jim. "Danger: poison. (dangers of medications, plants and cosmetics that can cause toxic poisoning)." Current Health 2 Sept. 1998: 13. Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. Higher Colleges of Technology. 26 Nov. 2008 .