How to keep toddlers safe from household dangers

Young children love to explore their world. Putting items in their mouth is a common way they learn about their environment.

What goes in must come out, right? But it’s not always that easy. Occasionally, as a pediatric surgeon, Kimberly Ruscher, MD, is asked to remove a coin or other foreign object lodged in a child’s intestinal tract. Some household items can cause serious health problems.

What’s the danger?

Here are some of the more worrisome household objects and how to keep your child out of harm’s way.

Keep magnets out of reach.

Small magnets are a common part of many toys, and also on the back of many things on our refrigerators. If a child swallows more than one magnet at a time or a magnet plus another iron object, it could cause damage to their intestines.

Watch out for button batteries.

Button, coin or disc batteries can be found throughout American homes. Key fobs for cars, remote controls, small toys and hearing aids all carry the small shiny discs — which are attractive for little mouths. These little batteries can cause burns to internal organs, and in some cases can be fatal. If you ever suspect your child may have swallowed a battery, or a toy or hearing aid with a battery in it, get medical attention right away.

Watch this video to learn more about the dangers of button batteries.

Put medications into childproof containers and out of kids’ reach.

For those of us who take one or more pills a day, using a weekly or monthly pill organizer is a great way to keep medications straight. However, these containers are rarely as childproof as the original packaging. And many pills can look surprisingly like candy. For safety, medications should be up, away and out of sight.

Label all cleaners in your house.

Household cleaners are still a risk for children. The bright colors and packaging are a draw for little ones. Laundry detergent pods are not just dangerous if swallowed; they are also now a leading cause of eye injury in preschool-age children. For peace of mind, teach young children that a Mr. Yuk sticker means keep away. For more information, contact Poison Control at 800-222-1222 or find the poison control near you from Safe Kids.

Be aware of choke hazards that block airways.

Foods such as hot dogs, carrots, hard candy and even peanut butter can get stuck in a young child's throat. Household items such as buttons, bottle caps and small toys can also be dangerous. Keep choking hazards out of reach. Cut food into pieces too small to get stuck in your child's throat. Keep in mind that even older children can choke on small objects. To lower their risk, keep a close eye on what they're eating and doing. Read more on how to prevent choking.