Common Household Items That Are Dangerous to Children

When you have a child, you want to make sure your house is child proof. The last thing you’d want is your child to get injured in their own home. Children are curious and want to learn as much as they can. Some common household items can actually be dangerous for a child, if they aren’t properly child proofed. The following are common items that are hazardous to children and ways to protect them. 

You may not think the dishwasher is, dangerous but if you take your eyes off your child, he could seriously injure himself. Your dishwasher is full of sharp knives, forks, and other dangerous utensils that your child could grab. The dish detergent can also irritate his skin and eyes. To avoid injury, make sure to point any sharp utensils downwards. Wait until you’re ready to start the machine before filling the dispenser with soap.  

Plants are a great way to make your home beautiful, but they can be dangerous to children. One way children learn about the world around them is by sticking things into their mouths.  Some indoor plants can be posionous when eaten. To avoid your little one eating your plants, keep the plants out of reach, and do research on any type of greenery before bringing it into your home.

Some cosmetic and personal care items are made with natural ingredients, but there is still a certain level of toxicity in them. It’s best to tuck these items away in an area your child wouldn’t be able to reach. Some items include:

An open window can be dangerous if the child isn’t being watched. Remove furniture so your child can’t climb out the window. The screens aren’t strong enough to support their weight, if they decide they want to climb out. Also, the cords of a window are also dangerous. Make sure to tie them high enough so they don't pose a strangulation hazard. Another alternative is to get cordless blinds.

When using the stove, make sure any pots and pans handles are turned inward so your child can’t reach and pull a boiling pot down onto his head. If you can, lock your oven’s door so your child doesn’t open the door and climb up. If your oven doesn’t have a lock, you can purchase a safety latch. Investing in stove knob covers will stop your child from turning on the gas or burner.

The chemicals in household cleaners can irritate your child's skin and eyes and may be extremely toxic if ingested. Some hazardous chemicals include:

Make sure to store these items far out of your child’s reach and use safety locks.