How to Make Your Bathroom Safe for Everyone

The Most Dangerous Room in the House

There are dozens of dangerous products or accidents waiting to happen in your family bathroom, with drugs, cleaning products and cosmetics among the most dangerous.

Here are some of the bathroom dangers parents need to be aware of:

Poisons

Misuse of prescription drugs, particularly analgesics and sleeping pills, account for more than half of the 3 million poisonings each year. Vitamins and iron supplements are particularly toxic to children, and many resemble candy. Poisoning can also occur from the following:

Cleaning products – Ammonia and bleach mixed together make a potentially deadly gas. Either one by itself can irritate your eyes and nose, burn skin and cause respiratory complications. Many drain cleaners will burn skin if touched. If ingested, these corrosive products can have fatal consequences. Air fresheners usually contain either phenol or formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, and phenol can cause convulsions, circulatory collapse and death. If it gets on your skin, it can cause burning, swelling, peeling or hives.

Cosmetics – Overexposure to hair spray and deodorants can cause serious illness or injury. New studies are showing that many artificial nail products, particularly nail primers, can cause severe burns.

Mildew – Although not strictly poisonous, molds and mildews are inevitable in a warm, moist environment. If anyone in your family suffers from frequent respiratory infections, asthma or bronchitis, exposure to mold spores and mildew may be the underlying cause, or it may make symptoms worse.

Safety Precautions:

Store medicines out of children’s reach or locked away from children, including young visitors.

Never put harmful products in unmarked containers.

Keep Syrup of Ipecac in your home.

Place your travel kit in a safe place upon returning home.