Household Safety: Poisons and Other Hazards

This page contains information on choosing safe toys, toy guidelines, and keeping toys safe at home, including how to select the right toys for the age of the child.

Marijuana (cannabis) is now legal for medical or recreational use in most U.S. states. That means the availability of tempting treats that contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, is on the rise. Unfortunately, so is the unintentional THC poisoning risk these products pose to kids who get a hold of them. This article explains what marijuana edibles are, the effects of these edibles on children, and how to keep them out of kids’ hands.

This article explains the serious risks of having a gun in the home including accidental shootings, suicide, and homicide. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that the safest home for a child is one without guns. This article also details how to keep children safe in their home and in other homes.

In this report, practitioners discuss how Head Start is addressing the opioid crisis within communities. The report also includes recommendations for intervention based on Head Start’s successful models.

This page provides links for information regarding a variety of home safety issues.

The Illinois Poison Center offers advice and information regarding encounters with harmful substances.

In this video series, explore the 10 health and safety training topics required by the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act. Narrated by pediatricians, these videos can help a busy early care and education workforce reinforce health and safety practices. Each video provides rationale on the importance of the topic for early childhood education settings, common issues related to that topic, and the importance of having plans, strategies, and procedures in place. With each video, find a set of reflective questions staff can use to improve their practices in these areas.

This article explains the risks of lead poisoning for young children, and offers strategies for prevention.

Children between one and five years old are at risk of death due to exposure to liquid nicotine. This article stresses the importance of keeping these products out of reach of children.

This resource for families describes what opioids are, how opioid use can lead to addiction, the opioid epidemic’s effect on children, and what parents can do.

Pesticides and herbicides represent a large group of chemical products designed to kill or harm unwanted insects, plants, molds, and rodents. Pesticides are used in a variety of settings, including homes, schools, parks, lawns, gardens, and farms. While they may kill insects, rodents, and weeds, many are toxic to people when consumed in food and water.

This 90-minute webinar focuses on the impact of prenatal exposure to opiates. The presenter talks about early childhood learning and behavior and intervention strategies that can promote long-term growth and development for children exposed to opiates in the prenatal period. There is also a handout that supplements the webinar.

This is a nonprofit organization that works hard to keep children safe from injury, including adverse drug events. The website provides tip-sheets, videos, infographics, research reports, and other helpful resources for parents and community members.

Animals can be great fun, but it’s important to know how to be safe with them. This article gives safety tips for parents and caregivers when encountering wild animals, pets, and lost or stray animals.