Poison control centers in the US get over 2 million calls per year. More than half involve children under 6. And the stuff that poisons kids isn't exotic — it's the things sitting in your house right now.
Cleaning products under the sink. That pothos hanging in the living room. Grandma's pill bottle on the counter. Laundry pods that look like candy. Hand sanitizer. Essential oils. Vitamins.
Let's go through what's actually dangerous and what to do about it.
Cleaning Products
The most dangerous household chemicals for kids are drain cleaners, oven cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, and bleach. These can cause chemical burns on contact with skin, eyes, or mouth. They don't need to be swallowed to cause harm — a splash is enough.
Laundry detergent pods deserve their own warning. They're colorful, squishy, and perfectly sized for a toddler to grab and bite into. The concentrated detergent can cause serious burns to the mouth and throat, and some kids have died from ingesting them. If you use pods, keep them in a locked cabinet. Better yet, switch to liquid or powder detergent during the toddler years.
Move all cleaning products to high shelves or behind locked cabinet doors. "Under the sink" is the worst possible location when you have a mobile baby.
Toxic Plants
Here's a list that surprises most parents. These common houseplants can cause symptoms ranging from mouth irritation to serious illness if ingested:
Most of these won't kill a child from a single nibble — the taste is usually bad enough that kids spit them out. But sago palm is a serious exception. Every part of it is toxic, and ingestion can cause liver failure. If you have one, get rid of it. Don't just move it high — leaves and seeds fall.
For other toxic plants, hanging them out of reach is usually sufficient. But check that leaves don't drop where babies can find them on the floor.
Medications
This is the number one cause of childhood poisoning deaths. It's not drain cleaner or rat poison — it's regular medications.
Iron supplements, heart medications, diabetes drugs, and opioids are the most dangerous. A single adult dose of some of these can be fatal to a toddler.
All medications should be stored in a locked cabinet or on a shelf above counter height. Not in a purse, not on a nightstand, not in a weekly pill organizer on the counter. Every time you take a pill, the bottle goes right back to its locked location.
Child-resistant caps help, but remember — they're designed to slow kids down, not stop them permanently.
Batteries and Magnets
Button batteries are genuinely terrifying. If swallowed, they can burn through tissue in as little as two hours. The battery doesn't need to be new — even used button batteries have enough charge to cause chemical burns.
Check all toys, remotes, key fobs, and electronic devices. If the battery compartment isn't screwed shut, tape it. Better yet, keep devices with accessible battery compartments out of reach.
High-powered magnets (those tiny magnetic balls and cubes sold as desk toys) cause serious intestinal damage if swallowed. The CPSC has repeatedly recalled and banned these products. Keep them away from young children entirely.
If Poisoning Happens
Save Poison Control's number in your phone right now: 1-800-222-1222. You can also text "POISON" to 797979 or use the webPOISONCONTROL tool at poison.org.
Don't make the child vomit unless Poison Control tells you to. Some substances cause more damage coming back up. Don't give milk, water, or anything else unless instructed.
Call 911 if the child is unconscious, having seizures, or having difficulty breathing. Otherwise, call Poison Control first — they handle millions of these calls and can guide you through it faster than an ER triage.
Prevention is the whole point. Lock it up, move it up, or get rid of it. Five minutes of reorganization can prevent a terrifying phone call.