This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. All opinions are 100% mine.
If there’s anything my husband will tell you it’s that I’m a worry wort- I play it safe and I follow the rules. I learned about keeping children safe from poison long before having my own from working at different childcare facilities. This knowledge has definitely served me well in keeping my own kids safe.
Our children are the most precious things in our lives, but did you know that everyday over 300 children in the U.S. ages 0 to 19 are treated in an emergency department and two children die as a result of being poisoned (Source: CDC). It’s important that we make sure that these easy to make mistakes don’t cost us our precious babies.
These thoughts may be frightening, but there are many things you can do to keep your kiddos safe.
First, you can keep anything that may be poisonous- medications, chemicals, etc… as high as you can, out of reach of your children. This is probably the most surefire way to keep them safe, unless you have an extra curious climber.
One of my favorite ways to keep kiddos safe is with the many child safety items that are available. Unfortunately, though, according to a recent Nationwide Make Safe Happen survey, 36% of parents say they’ve bought these items (such as cabinet locks) and never installed them. The key is to definitely use the items once you’ve purchased them (I know it can be easy to forget!)- but they are very helpful when it comes to keeping kids safe.
This guy is usually always playing at my feet whenever I’m cooking or cleaning, so it definitely brings me peace of mind knowing there’s nothing dangerous for him to get into, because let’s face it- we can’t keep all eyes on our children 24/7.. it just isn’t possible.
I also recommend sharing some of this information with family, such as grandparents, and making the initiative to get everyone’s homes safe for your kiddos.
If you ever think your child has ingested something dangerous, play it safe and call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222).
Here are 5 items that you may not think of that definitely need to be on your watch list-
Hand sanitizers may seem relatively safe- but they contain very high levels of alcohol and can cause alcohol poisoning if ingested. These often also come in scents that your child could confuse for candy. Single load laundry packets are a newer issue, but I’ve already been hearing of many cases of children mistakenly eating them. Not only can these poison children but they can also cause chemical burns to the eyes, nose, and mouth. With medications, the “child-proof” lids are not always exactly child proof, and some childrens medicines are made to taste sweet. This helps in getting them to take the medicine, but can definitely also cause a risk. Next, we’ve all heard horror stories about children ingesting button batteries. These can be deadly. It is so important to check childrens toys that include these to make sure they’re secure. Finally, e-cigarettes are a new risk as well- children may see adults putting these into their mouths. It is important to keep refills and vaping supplies up and away.
As a part of this program, Nationwide has created MakeSafeHappen.com. Here you can find tips and tools for poison prevention and making your home safer. There is also a Make Safe Happen app which includes room to room safety checklists. It also allows users to create to do lists, set reminders, and track your progress. The app is available for iOS and Android.
Keeping our kids safe should be a top priority and Nationwide has made it easy with these tools and resources. Download the app and use the checklists right along with your spring cleaning to ensure your home is a safe place for your children.
Here are some frequently asked questions relating to this campaign-
Q: Where can I get cabinet locks?
A: If you download the Make Safe Happen app you can purchase safety items directly from Amazon based on what you need for your home and ages of your children. MakeSafeHappen.com also has safety checklists that will help you identify what you should purchase and install to make your home safer.
Q: What are the signs that a child had been poisoned?
A: If you suspect your child ingested something poisonous, call the Poison Help line, 1-800-222-1222.
Do not make them vomit; do not use ipecac or charcoal until you speak with someone at the Poison Help line or a medical professional. Call 911 if your child has any of following symptoms: seizures, Not breathing, or unconscious.
Q: Where can I find a list of household poisons?
A: If you think it could be poisonous put the item up and away. Also take the time to read all product labels to make sure you know which of your household products are poisonous for your children. This includes:
Cosmetics and personal care items (like nail polish remover, jewelry cleaner, mouthwash)
Medicine and vitamins
Laundry detergents and cleaning solutions (like bleach, carpet cleaner, furniture polish)
Alcohol
Plants
Car fluids
Bug and weed killers, fertilizers and plant food
Lighter fluid, kerosene, and torch fuel
Batteries
Q: Who created the App?
A: The app is owned by our signature partner, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and was developed by the safety experts in their Center for Injury Research and Policy. The App includes room-by-room safety checklists and links to recommended products. You can also create to-do lists, set reminders and track your progress.
Q: Where can I get more information on poisoning risks and resources?
You can find more information about poisoning at the Poison Help website which is part of the US Department of Health and Human Services http://poisonhelp.hrsa.gov/index.html.
Q: What other organizations are focused on this issue?
There are many organization’s focused on poisoning. In addition to MakeSafeHappen.com you can also find information on the Poison Help website which is part of the US Department of Health and Human Services. The Poison Help Website also lists local Poison Centers.
Q: What will happen to a child if they ingest [X poison] – what is the risk?
A: There are many different risks associated with poisoning. If you suspect your child ingested something poisonous, call the Poison Help line, 1-800-222-1222. Do not make them vomit; do not use ipecac or charcoal until you speak with someone at the Poison Help line or a medical professional. Call 911 if your child has any of following symptoms: seizures, not breathing, or unconscious.
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