A little info just came across my desk telling me that September is Baby Safety Month. The release lists some commonly overlooked potential dangers.
It doesn't mention those things we buy safety supplies for at the store. I know I have child-proof plugs in all my outlets, I have child-proof locks on my china cabinet and on the cabinets that contain my cleaning supplies. I fight with these little cabinet protectors each time I want to get in to grab something and I think how great it will be to one day not need them again.
I'm sure many other parents have bought the same child-proof (and sometimes adult-proof) items, or at least received them as gifts. It's what we do to help keep our kids safe. We protect them from drinking a bottle of Mr. Clean or inhaling the toxic aromas of bleach.
But this paper on my desk, suggests we be wary of these items, too:
* Mouthwash: Many brands contain up to 27 percent alcohol, which can cause a child's blood sugar to plunge. Try switching to an alcohol-free mouthwash.
* Antifreeze: If left out, children or pets could drink large amounts of this "sweet-tasting" liquid. Try antifreeze with proplyene glycol, which is less toxis, or use antifreeze that has a bittering agent added to make it taste unpleasant.
* Window treatments with hanging cords: Those manufactured before 2001 could pose a strangulation risk to young children. You can get free retrofit safety devices from the Widow Covering Safety Council. Visit them at www.windowcoverings.org.
* Latex balloons: Uninflated and pieces of balloons can suffocate a child. Choose mylar balloons instead.
* Windshield washer fluid: It can cause blindness soon after ingestion and it's colorful appearance can attract kids.
* Furniture and appliances: Use angle braces or anchors to secure larger furniture to the wall to prevent the furniture from tipping over and injuring your child.
* Oleander: A popular garden flower, but it's incredibly toxic, and so is the water in which cut flowers are placed and any smoke that results from burning the plant. Apparently just one leaf can kill.
* Dieffenbachia and philodendron: These common houseplants contain crystals that will cause extreme pain and inflammation if chewed.
Of course, as always, no amount of preparation will ever take the place of a vigilant parent. But it's always better to be safe that sorry, isn't it?