Even if you’ve read all the books and baby-proofed everything in your house, there are still some common safety hazards that you might have never considered.
These everyday items might seem harmless, but they can be deadly for your child. Check out the items on this list, then be sure to keep them away from your little one.
Baby mobile
Baby mobiles are a staple in many nurseries.
However, once your child is able to push themselves up onto their hands and knees, these should be removed from their crib.
Children can become entangled in the strings, or hurt themselves trying to reach up and grab the toys.
Popcorn
Popcorn kernels are a major chocking hazard for children. Doctors advise parents to wait to give your child this snack until they are at least four or five years old.
Blankets
Blankets seem harmless, but they should be kept out of your child’s crib or bed until they are at least one , but many experts advise waiting until even later because they pose a strangulation hazard.
Use warm pajamas or sleep sacks instead.
Honey
Honey should never be served to children who are under the age of one because it can cause botulism in young children. Botulism is a bacterial illness and can be fatal.
Toy chests
Toy or storage chests with heavy lids can trap your child inside or fall on their heads and cause serious injuries.
Opt for toy chests without a lid, and lock up any other storage chests so that your child can’t open them.
Plastic corners from packaging
If you use milk bags or any other plastic packaging where you snip off the corner, be sure to dispose of these safely.
The plastic corners are an especially deadly hazard for children since they can fully block a child’s airway. Always snip the corners directly over a garbage can so they don’t end up on the floor where a toddler could pick them up.
Cord blinds
We’ve known for years that cord blinds pose a major strangulation hazard. Be sure to keep your child’s crib and bed away from any blinds, and secure the cord to the wall with a child-proofing device.
Corded blinds will soon be banned in the United States, but be sure to child-proof your home in case some were installed prior to the ban.
Hot hair tools
Hair dryers, flat irons, and curling irons should always be kept out of your child’s reach and the cords should be kept off the floor so that your child can’t pull them down.
If you need to style your hair, it’s best to put your little one in a playpen or have someone watch them so they can’t burn themselves while you use one of these tools.
Front-loading washers and dryers
Front-loading washers and dryers are becoming more popular and standard in homes.
However, these machines also happen to be the perfect size for small children to get stuck in. Even worse is that many of the doors will not unlock once a cycle is started.
Keep your laundry room locked at all times and put child-proof latches on the doors of these machines.
Car seats
Car seats are mandatory safety devices for all parents, but if not used properly they can be very dangerous.
Never leave your car seat accessible to your child when you’re not using it. They can become entangled in the straps and suffocate.
Small magnets
If your child happens to swallow a small magnet, it can cause serious internal injuries.
It’s best to remove all magnets from your fridge and find another way to hang up notes around the home.
Marshmallows
Large, soft foods like marshmallows can become lodged in your child’s throat and block their airway.
Also, while it might seem harmless, games like Chubby Bunny, where you try to eat as many marshmallows as you can at once, can be very dangerous and should never be played.
Latex balloons
Avoid buying latex balloons as they are dangerous no matter how you use them.
Deflated balloons look colorful and intriguing to young children who might swallow them, and inflated balloons can pop and send small pieces of latex all over the floor for toddlers to discover.
Hard candies and lollipops
Hard candies are another common food that seem harmless but can pose a serious choking hazard.
Lollipops can come off the stick in one solid piece which is why they are also a no-no (not to mention the stick is equally dangerous).
Laundry and dishwasher pods
Laundry and dishwasher pods look like candy to young children because of their shape and colorful design. Besides the chemicals contained in these pods, they are also a choking hazard. Keep them locked away with the rest of your chemicals.
Baby powder
Despite having the word “baby” in its name, current guidelines from medical associations discourage parents from using baby powder on their children.
New evidence suggests that baby powder containing talc can increase the likelihood of some cancers, and it is dangerous if inhaled by infants. There are also reports that talc baby powder could even contain asbestos.
Instead of baby powder, use a clean cloth to dry your baby’s bum after a change and use diaper cream if necessary.
