http://www.triadmoms.com/forum/ http://www.eblah.com en http://www.triadmoms.com/forum/m-1234381482/ http://www.triadmoms.com/forum/m-1234381482/#num1 ]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:44:42 ChristenL http://www.triadmoms.com/forum/m-1216678179/ http://www.triadmoms.com/forum/m-1216678179/#num1
My name is Debra. I am new to the site. I am still learning my way around. I hope to get to know you ladies better. I have a son named Caleb. He is 8 years old and we love playdates!!!


]]> Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:09:39 dragonfly7 http://www.triadmoms.com/forum/m-1208970477/ http://www.triadmoms.com/forum/m-1208970477/#num1 Hello, I am still new around here, My name is Beth, i am 31 and expecting our first baby in July, a boy! We live in Archdale, and I would love to find a pregnancy support group somewhere in my surrounding area. It would be great to find a group of ladies who are expecting to meet and chit chat with about our pregnancies and develop friendships that can carry over into after we have had the babies and all that comes with it! If you would be interested please let me know! ]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:07:57 newwife http://www.triadmoms.com/forum/m-1208195750/ http://www.triadmoms.com/forum/m-1208195750/#num1 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:55:50 ljones3 http://www.triadmoms.com/forum/m-1203625675/ http://www.triadmoms.com/forum/m-1203625675/#num1 This Article is provided by http://www.babycenter.com
Direct link to this article on BabyCenter.com - http://www.babycenter.com/0_poison-proofing-your-home_1449081.bc - please visit BabyCenter.com for clickable links in this article and also for more safety articles

Posison Proofing Your Home

Young children explore the world by putting things in their mouth. That's one reason more than 1 million children under 6 years old are victims of accidental poisoning each year. You can help keep your toddler safe by identifying and locking up toxic materials and knowing what to do if he touches, inhales, or swallows something poisonous.

How can I tell which substances are poisonous?
It's not always obvious what's hazardous and what's not, and poisonous substances may not be in plain sight. Conduct a room-by-room inventory of non-food products, listing anything that's out in the open as well as inside drawers, cupboards, and closets. Then make sure all poisons are clearly labeled and locked out of a child's reach. If you don't know whether a product is poisonous, check the label or call the American Association of Poison Control Centers' hot line at (800) 222-1222.

Here are some of the hazardous substances most commonly ingested by children under age 6:

•  cosmetics and personal care products, such as mouthwash, nail products, hair remover, and baby oil (never leave baby oil or similar products within your toddler's reach — in a few cases, infants have died from getting baby oil in their lungs)

•  prescription drugs such as heart and blood pressure medications, antidepressants, sleeping pills, diabetes medications, pain medications and time-release medications

•  cleaning products, including drain cleaner, oven cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, bleach, dishwasher detergent, furniture polish, and rust remover

•  pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, which are poisonous when taken in large doses (never give a child aspirin, as it can lead to Reye's syndrome, a rare brain and liver disease that can be fatal)

•  cough and cold medicines

•  vitamin supplements, especially iron pills

•  household plants, especially philodendron and holly berries

•  paint thinner, paint remover, kerosene, lighter fluids, antifreeze, and windshield washer fluid

•  pesticides

•  alcohol

How can I make sure that my toddler doesn't get hold of any harmful substances?
If you haven't started poison-proofing your home yet, it's time to start. You'd be surprised how fast your toddler will learn to get into cupboards and open child-resistant caps.

Lock up all medicines and harmful substances. Secure all cupboards that contain poisons, even those that seem out of reach, with safety latches or locks. Poison experts know of many young children who've dragged a chair over to a kitchen counter, climbed onto the counter or even the refrigerator, and opened a cupboard near the ceiling. Your child may be able to do something like this before you know it.

Get rid of old or expired medications. Don't flush old medications down the toilet or pour them down the drain, as they can contaminate the water supply. If you live in the United States, ask your local waste disposal agency whether there's a program in place for safely disposing of them. You can also ask whether your pharmacy will take back expired medication. If these options aren't available, you'll have to throw the drugs away in the trash — but first be sure to secure them so your toddler can't get to them.

Don't rely on child-resistant containers. Child-resistant doesn't mean childproof. Hopefully, the resistant cap will delay a child's ability to open the container long enough for an adult to discover what's going on and to intervene in time. Remember: No bottle top is ever so secure that a child can't find some way to get it off. "It's not unusual for a 2-year-old, left alone for 30 minutes, to break down the best devices of the manufacturer," warns pediatrician Mark Widome.

Keep medicines, pesticides, and even detergents in their original containers. Never put poisonous or toxic products in unlabeled containers or containers that were once used for food. Poison centers have heard too many horror stories about how a toxic liquid in an unmarked container has been mistaken for apple juice.

Move purses, luggage, and grocery bags away from prying hands. A tube of brightly hued lipstick or a bottle of coated pills can look like candy to a young child. Store your purse on a high shelf, and unpack anything potentially dangerous from your grocery bag before you turn to another task.

Never refer to any kind of medicine as candy. Even if you're trying to get a reluctant child to take cough syrup, don't treat it as something good to eat. Children learn by imitation, so take your own medicine when your child isn't watching. Just to be safe, teach your child never to eat anything without asking an adult first.

Read labels before buying household products, and try to use the least toxic ones. Among the household products generally considered less hazardous are non-chlorine bleaches, vinegar, borax, beeswax, and mineral oil. Unclog drains with compressed air instead of corrosive liquids.

Always keep a watchful eye on your child. Even the most thorough childproofing is no substitute for supervision. Be extra vigilant when visiting the house of a friend or relative, particularly if it hasn't been childproofed. What should I do if I think my child has swallowed something harmful?
The American Academy of Pediatrics no longer recommends that you keep syrup of ipecac on hand in case of poisoning, because it hasn't been shown to be effective in preventing poisoning and can potentially be misused. Instead, post the toll-free number for the American Association of Poison Control Centers' national emergency hot line by your phone and be ready to call for help: (800) 222-1222. Post the number now, before an emergency occurs. (Use our handy emergency contact worksheet.)The Poison Control Centers website also has information about poison-proofing your home.

If your child's unconscious, not breathing, or having a seizure, call 911 immediately. Otherwise, at the first sign that your child may have been poisoned, call the emergency hot line. You'll automatically be put in touch with a local poison control center. Local lines are staffed 24 hours a day by registered pharmacists, nurses, and doctors with special training in responding to poisoning crisis calls, as well as answering routine questions about household poisons. ]]> Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:27:55 triadmoms