High Shelves and Locked Cabinets are our Friends

The other night, we had, luckily, a safe wake-up call that reminded me how important it is to put potentially dangerous items on high shelves or locked cabinets where little people can't get to them. I had grabbed the Costco-sized container of Anti-bacterial soap from the closet to refill our small one in the bathroom. It looks like the big bottle in the picture below:

I was making my way down the hallway, and walked past David holding Kyra. He said, "What is she doing? What does that sign mean?" We've taught her a few signs, like "More", "All Done" and "Milk", just to name a few, so as to help her communicate and not get so frustrated if she can't say the word. Anyway, she was making the sign for "juice", which I recognized, and then I got scared. For she was right. The bottle of soap looked exactly like the Costco-sized bottle of Apple Juice: same size, same color (see below): Then I remembered Parents magazine recently ran an article in their April 2007 issue, entitled, "Is it Candy or Medicine?". There they included the following pictures that should make you just a little nervous:

which is the candy & which is the medicine?

Could you tell, if you didn't look at the cap, which one is the sports drink, and which one is glass cleaner?

Scary, huh?!

I know we can't hover over our children 24/7, as that would drive all of us crazy. However, by taking that extra few seconds and poison-proofing your house by installing Tot-Locks on your cabinets, or making sure your child can't reach those potentially dangerous products that look so appealing, you may be just saving their lives.

And Parents magazine goes on to say, Post Poison Control's number, 1-800-222-1222, near every phone in your house, and store it in your cell phone, because in those precious seconds, you certainly don't want to be searching all over for it. Stay safe, friends! K~