Things aren’t always what they seem!
As parents we assume that the world our children live and play in is a safe and healthy place. We try to eliminate any dangers of hazards from the space that they occupy.
Parents that live on farms are no less diligent in the quest to keeping their children safe, yet there are many more dangers lurking in the barns, driving sheds and workshops of these families. The natural curiosity that children are born with can lead them into situations that are often dangerous and could result in injuries that may leave permanent scars or even be fatal. What may seem like a harmless pile of logs could crush a small child climbing on it. Parents and care givers need to be vigilant to prevent needless tragedies. On average, 13 children die every year on Canadian farms!
Some dangers seem very obvious yet others are hard to imagine. An unmarked bottle of yellow liquid left on the kitchen table could be some apple juice, quite delicious and harmless if drunk. However, it could be gasoline, cider vinegar, an herbicide or a cleaning product. A mistaken identity can result in an emergency situation for a small child. How are they to know what is safe and what isn’t?
A bottle of varsol can be mistaken for water, vinegar or even Sprite. Some taste bad and others can be poisonous! What seems like a harmless liquid may not be the case. Medication can be confused with candy, vitamins or Sani Flush toilet bowl cleaner. Even mom’s purse can contain items that are harmful if eaten or played with.
Most cases of accidental poisoning happen to young children that cannot read labels or know the dangers that lie within unmarked containers. The time of day when this most often happens is during the late afternoon, just before suppertime. The parents are busy with food preparation, children are coming home from school and little attentions is being paid to toddlers that are in search of an afternoon snack. Caregivers must react quickly if a poisoning is suspected.
It is important to keep any chemical or medication in the original container with the proper label attached. This label would list the toxicity of the contents and possible first aid treatments. Any potentially dangerous substance should be kept out of children’s reach with a latch that they cannot open alone.
Potentially dangerous chemicals are found throughout the houseand farm. They are used for washing, cleaning, pesticides, fuel, and may be found in the kitchen, laundry room and milk house. To a child the danger is not apparent and a life altering injury can happel very quickly.
In the case of a suspected poisoning quick action is essential. Call poison control for advice or call 911 immediately. Bring the item along and refer to the instructions on the label. Do not assume that inducing vomiting may remove the danger since a caustic chemical traveling through the esophagus can damage again on the way out!
POISON INFORMATION 1 800 268-9017
The goal of every parent is to have their child grow up safe, unharmed and healthy. This requires constant supervision and monitoring the environment with the same curiosity that a child would experience. What may seem safe to an adult may not be the same for a toddler exploring the world around them for the first time!
Children learn best by modeling the actions of the adults around them. Parents and caregivers need to be aware that their actions are being watched and copied by the youngsters. Safety in the home and on the farm needs to become a priority for families!
