New statistics reveal that some of the most commonly used household items could be putting children in harm鈥檚 way, but there are ways to minimize the risk.
The Manitoba Poison Centre fields more than 5,000 calls each year, and nearly half concern children five years of age or younger.
According to newly released statistics from the organization, the most commonly ingested products are:
- Over-the-counter pain medication
- Cleaning supplies
- Cosmetics
- Vitamins
- Foreign bodies such as silica gel packets
Small laundry detergent pods are also a growing concern in Canada and the United States.
In Ontario, the province鈥檚 poison control centre gets up to 45 calls a month about the detergent pods, which are colourful and may resemble candy or toys to children. A found that more than 700 children in the U.S. landed in hospital in two years after ingesting the laundry pods.
Heather Hudson of the Manitoba Poison Centre says it鈥檚 important for parents to understand that children learn about their environment by putting things in their mouth.
鈥淚s it bumpy, is it smooth, does it taste good,鈥� Hudson said.
Since children tend to explore their surroundings, Hudson says placing hazardous products on a high shelf is not good enough. The items must be locked up and out of sight in order to be completely out of reach.
Parents are also advised to plan ahead by taking precautions based on their child鈥檚 future mobility capabilities, not what he or she is able to do today.
