An article in the November 10, 2014 New York Times by Catherine Saint Louis discussed the danger of detergent pods. The reporter said that 17,000 children under age eight either ingested, squirted the material into their eyes or inhaled the liquid from pods. Two deaths were reported and five hundred children had to be hospitalized.
One of the difficult problems of being a practicing pediatrician is caring for children who eat dangerous substances, stick things into every orifice or inhale materials that can cause harm. I have removed beads and insects from ear canals and noses, had to have surgeons remove foreign objects from children's vaginas or rectums and been amazed at the trouble little kdis can get into if a parent or caregiver does not have eyes in the front and back of their heads. Left over alcoholic drinks a child can ingest the morning after a party can cause lots of trouble, as can cigarette butts children chew on.
My usual practice when my children were small was to walk around the house at night after the children were in bed to see what the kdis might get into early the next morning. Saturday mornings are often the worst for problems if the parents try to sleep late. Teaching children how to avoid dangerous substances is important and every parent should have a list of these substances on hand, plus the number of the poison center posted on the refrigerator and in their cell phones. Caretakers should all be warned about the dnagers of not only detergant pods, but anything a child can ingest, inhale or squirt into ther eyes that can cause harm.
Keeping medicine cabinets locked, remvoing dangerous substances from under the sink and from accessible drawers is important. A periodic check of these places is wise and the garage should be off limits to kids. Homes can be dangerous places children if no attention is paid to lighted candles, poisonous plants, coffee pot cords and hot stove burners. If you get into the habit of always watching for potential problems, then your kdis should be able to grow up safely.
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