As parents, we’re so careful to apply sunscreen before our kids head outside, enforce the use of helmets when riding their bikes, and would never dream of letting them cross the street without looking both ways for cars. Yet we have a plethora of household items in our homes that are extremely harmful and toxic to our children, and are often overlooked. Spanish rug designer Lorena Canals shares the top household items that are unsafe and unhealthy for our kids:
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Cleaning Products - Many traditional cleaning products found around the home are perfectly fine to use in most circumstances, but when they get into the hands of small children they pose a grave danger. Keep all cleaning supplies, including dishwasher detergent and dishwashing liquids, out of the reach of children (and never underestimate a child who can climb). Ingesting even a small amount of a cleaning product can make a child very sick. Recently a number of children have been poisoned by the small detergent pods used for the dishwasher. To children they can look like edible candy. Switch to a safer, greener option to avoid many of the chemicals found in traditional cleaning products.
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Medications - Never leave medications or vitamins anywhere a child could reach them. Small children may decide to try and copy adults and help themselves. Because many children can still open a child-proof container, store all medications - even over-the-counter meds - out of the sight and reach of children. Children’s pain reliever may seem relatively harmless, but since it’s typically flavored like grape or berry, your kids may not realize that it can be dangerous. Your best bet is to purchase a small locked cabinet.
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Alcohol - We all know that children should not ingest alcohol, but don’t always think about keeping the bottles locked up and out of the reach of children who may be curious. It’s not a safe bet to assume they will not try it because it’s for “adults only.” Keep all bottles of alcohol in a locked cabinet out of your kids' reach. Also keep mouthwash out of the reach of kids, as many brands contain substantial amounts of alcohol. Just two ounces (about seven child-sized mouthfuls) will have them reach a blood-alcohol level that exceeds the legal limit for an adult.
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Interior Paint - When painting your home’s interior, opt for a non-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint found at most home improvement stores. VOC’s are solvents that get released into the air as the paint dries. VOC’s can cause acute symptoms, including headaches and dizziness. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, some VOC’s are suspected carcinogens. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so just request non-VOC paint when you’re painting the next room. They come in all the same colors as traditional paint and are only a few dollars more. Also, if you have an older home, get the paint tested for lead. If lead is detected, it may need to be removed. Call the National Lead Information Center with questions. Avoid use of cribs, bassinets, highchairs, painted toys, or toy chests made before 1978; these may have a finish that contains lead.
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Carpets & Rugs - Installation of new carpet and flooring can fill the air with hundreds of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), including known and suspected carcinogens like formaldehyde and benzene. Even after years, these substances can still be detected in the air. In addition, carpets are often treated with toxic chemicals for moth-proofing or to repel soil and moisture. Carpeting is also notorious for trapping lawn chemicals, outdoor toxins, and allergens tracked in from outside on shoes. Choose a sustainable flooring option that can minimize indoor pollution and mitigate health problems caused by toxic carpets. Then look for rugs that are made from natural fibers without chemical treatment such as Lorena Canals (which offers the added benefit of being machine washable). Also, purchase carpets with natural-fiber backing attached with less-toxic adhesives.
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Houseplants - Houseplants and yard plants can be poisonous when ingested by children and pets. Keep these plants out of the reach of children or buy only plants that are non-poisonous. It only takes a small bite to make a small child sick.
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Chemical Insecticides and Herbicides - Every year people apply standard chemicals to their yards to make them lush, green and weed-free for the perfect yard appeal. They also use these products to kill cockroaches, ants, flies, fleas, lice, gnats, mosquitoes, spiders, and deer ticks, among other pests. However, these chemicals are known to cause kidney damage and reproductive harm. Many are also eye, skin and respiratory irritants and have negative effects on the central nervous system. Your local home improvement and garden store offers organic and non-chemical treatment options that work just as well without harming humans or animals. Simple household ingredients such as Borax and cinnamon can also be just as effective as their chemical counterparts.
Lorena Canals is the founder of the Spanish home design brand of the same name. Her popular all natural, machine washable eco-chic rugs recently launched in the U.S.A. with a brand new Home Collection. Her mission is to offer families style, comfort and convenience in every room of their home. For more information, visit http://Lorenacanals.us.
