Many everyday household items can pose serious poisoning risks — especially for young children — if they’re not stored or used properly.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, poisoning is the leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in the United States, surpassing motor vehicle crashes. Children under age 6 are at the greatest risk, often exposed to common items found in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry areas.
Products like cosmetics, cleaning supplies, medications and personal care items may seem harmless, but can be dangerous if ingested, inhaled or misused.
“Millions of people are unintentionally poisoned every year, and children under the age of 6 are at the greatest risk,” New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said.
Here’s what to know — and how to reduce the risk in your home.
Common household poisoning risks
Many of the most frequent poisoning exposures involve everyday items, including:
Some items can be especially dangerous because they look appealing to children, including:
How to protect children
Health officials recommend several simple steps to reduce risk:
Don’t forget pets
Many household items can also be toxic to animals. Common risks include:
Other hidden dangers in the home
NY poisoning resources
— Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who covers breaking and trending news for the Finger Lakes Region. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: These common household items could poison your child. What New Yorkers should know
Reporting by Madison Scott, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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