15 Surprising Household Items That Can Be Dangerous for Kids

Parents instinctively protect young children from obviously dangerous items in the home, such as scissors, medications, or a hot iron. However, there are many more everyday objects that can pose serious risks to children. Pediatricians have listed items that should be kept away from children.

1. Unstable Furniture

All pediatricians surveyed emphasized this point first. Heavy coffee tables, dressers, cabinets, and even televisions should be secured to the wall with brackets or wall straps. Securing furniture prevents it from tipping over if a child attempts to climb it.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports alarming statistics: from 2000 to 2019, nearly 475 children died from furniture tip-overs, most of them under the age of 6.

2. Spices, Beans, and Grains

Parents often encourage toddlers to play with beans or grains to develop fine motor skills. However, such activities require constant supervision. There have been instances where children have stuffed beans up their noses or choked on dry grains or pasta.

Certain spices can cause severe reactions, even choking (e.g., cinnamon or nutmeg). Therefore, it’s best to keep them on high shelves, not on countertops.

3. Toxic Houseplants

Many homes have plants like philodendron, which contain substances toxic to both humans and animals. If a child decides to chew on a leaf, an immediate trip to the hospital may be necessary. If you’re unsure about a plant’s safety, it’s best to remove it from your home.

4. Pans and Pots on Front Burners

A child can reach for a handle of a pan or pot on the stove and spill hot contents on themselves. Always use the back burners. Hot ovens also pose risks; children have been known to open oven doors to play hide-and-seek, resulting in severe burns.

It takes just a second for an accident to happen. This doesn’t mean you should stop using the oven, but ensure your child is not in the kitchen unsupervised.

5. Long Tablecloths

Children love to grab and pull on tablecloths. If there’s a cup of hot coffee or a cutting board with a knife on the table, the outcome can be disastrous.

6. Fruits, Berries, and Nuts on the Table

Many homeowners like to decorate their rooms with bowls of treats. However, a child can quickly grab a nut or grape and put it in their mouth, posing a choking hazard.

7. Baby Walkers

Doctors frequently encounter injuries caused by baby walkers. These devices can help a child reach dangerous areas like a hot stove or stairs. Children can also crash into walls and fall. The American Academy of Pediatrics has even called for a ban on their sale and production due to the risks.

8. Toys with Small Parts

All parents know to keep small objects away from children. However, some parts may seem large enough, yet children can still manage to put them in their mouths. Pediatricians suggest testing toys at home.

If an item fits into a toilet paper roll with a diameter of about 3.15 cm, it poses a choking hazard. Overall, the risk of choking is the primary danger for children under 3 years old, doctors warn.

9. Blinds with Long Cords

A study in the U.S. found that from 2005 to 2019, an average of two children per day were injured by long cords from window blinds. There is a serious risk of strangulation, so if your home has such blinds, replace them immediately, pediatricians advise.

10. Long Lamp Cords

Any long cord poses a danger to children. They can get tangled in it or pull on it, causing a lamp or other object to fall on them.

11. Windows Without Locks

Even with a one-year-old, leaving windows open is dangerous. Children can be resourceful and find a way to climb onto a windowsill. Simply closing windows is not enough; children can turn the handle and accidentally push against it. Pediatricians recommend installing special window locks or guards.

12. Button Batteries

Packaged batteries are usually kept away from children. However, items like TV remotes, key fobs, calculators, and clocks are often within reach. A child can break or disassemble a key fob and try to taste the shiny battery, which is extremely dangerous. If a child swallows a battery, seek immediate medical attention.

13. Guests’ Personal Belongings

When guests are over, attention is often focused on them. Even the most attentive parents can miss a child rummaging through a guest’s bag and pulling out medications or nail scissors. Develop a habit of placing guests’ belongings on high shelves or in a closed room.

14. Uncovered Outlets and Radiators

Outlet covers have long been a parenting staple. If you haven’t used them yet, make sure to get some. Another often-overlooked danger is hot radiators. During the heating season, radiators can become extremely hot. A brief touch can cause serious burns. If your radiators get that hot, consider installing special guards.

15. Sharp Corners of Coffee Tables

Pediatricians often treat young patients who have been injured by sharp corners. This can be easily prevented by purchasing special rounded corner guards from a baby store.

For more information on child safety, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics.