Hazardous Items
Within the normal home environment there are many items that pose a threat to small children. You should carefully survey your home from the perspective of a crawling baby to identify as many of them as possible. Glass objects can break and cut a small child. Some older children's toys have small choke-able parts or sharp parts. Knives should be kept far, far away from young children as should other sharp pointy instruments like scissors. Some hazards are not so obvious

Many Recliners and other hinged furniture have mechanisms that can amputate fingers, crush hands or otherwise harm your child. Infants crawl, and crawling under a recliner can prove deadly.

Guns - Every year children inadvertently kill themselves or another child with guns kept in the home. Keeping a gun in the home with a child is exceedingly risky. If, against all advice, you choose to do so, lock gun and ammunition away separately. Never keep a loaded gun in the same house with a child.

Alcohol and cigarette butts can both poison a child. Keep both out of the reach of your child.

Strings, Ropes, Leashes and other "rope-like" items are not safe playthings for young babies or young children. Also be careful of cords for drapes and blinds. These should not be looped and should be kept out of your baby's reach. Also be careful of ties and cords attached to clothing.

Unused Appliances and Trunks - Any unused appliances, trunks, plastic storage containers, coolers and other items which tightly seal should have the doors or lids removed. A young child can become trapped and suffocate in such items.

Garbage and Trash Cans - Don't be surprised if items you have disposed of wind up in the hands of your toddler or young child. Watch carefully and don't throw really hazardous items in a trash-can your child has access to. He or she may well retrieve it if you do

Plastic Bags & Wrap - Neither plastic bags nor wrap are appropriate toys for children. Make sure that they are kept out of your child's reach. Tie knots in bags as you throw them out to help prevent a child from putting a bag over his or her head. Dry cleaning bags are particularly dangerous and should be removed and discarded immediately.

Latex Balloons - Present a terrible choking hazard. Do not let infants, babies or toddlers play with them. You probably should avoid latex balloons entirely and use mylar instead.

Iron Containing Vitamins - Vitamins containing iron are responsible for more fatal poisonings of young children than any other substance. This may be because some people do not perceive them as a poison. Vitamins are - often in very small quantities. Treat them as you would treat any other drug. Keep them out of the reach of young children. If your child ingests vitamins other than his or her own in the appropriate dosage, contact the poison control center immediately and take your child to the hospital

Fire Places - Fireplaces present many types of hazards. Burning is an obvious risk. Many hearths are made of stone or brick and are raised. Children can fall into these items and injure themselves severely. Investigate some of the devices available for making your fireplace safer for your child.

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Disclaimer: Note, these lists are provided to start you thinking about safety. We guarantee that these lists ARE NOT COMPLETE! You will have to evaluate your own home. No list can anticipate every circumstance. The personal health of yourself , your spouse, children or other factors may dictate that you take precautions not listed here, or that you ignore suggestions made here. Ultimately, you are responsible for your child's safety. When you are unsure or have questions always consult an appropriate professional. We have made every effort to check the accuracy of our information, but we do not guarantee it to be accurate or complete. Use your own judgments and always seek the advice of a physician when appropriate. These lists are intended only to help you identify potential problems. Read our TERMS OF SERVICE for additional information about the conditions and terms under which this list is supplied.