Reasons for Poison Proofing Your Home

Individuals can be exposed to poisons in many ways. Possible poisons can come from various products around the home and are usually found in the following four forms:

• Solids: pills, vitamins, plants, powders, fertilizers, pellets, and mothballs
  
  
• Liquids: medicines, lotions, soaps, furniture polish, lighter fluid, and household cleaners
  
  
• Sprays: insecticides sprays and spray paints
  
  
• Invisible vapors: car exhaust fumes, gasoline fumes, carbon monoxide, and paint stripper

Some of the most dangerous poisons found in the home are common, otherwise safe, everyday products. Some examples of these products include the following:

• Medicines or vitamins that include iron (and may cause iron poisoning)
  
  
• Cleaning products (for example, drain openers, oven cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, and bleach)
  
  
• Antifreeze
  
  
• Pesticides
  
  
• Cosmetics (for example, nail polish remover, hair dyes, and hair sprays)
  
  
• Hydrocarbons (for example, furniture polish, lamp oil, and lighter fluids)
  
  
• Plants (for example, mushrooms and some common household plants, flowers, and shrubs in the yard)