By: Dr. Vatsala Bhaskar, CentraState Medical Center
Published: 02/10/2015 12:01 PM EST on LiveScience
Dr. Vatsala Bhaskar is a board-certified pediatrician on staff at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, N.J., where she also maintains a private practice. She contributed this article to Live Science’s Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.
There are some experiences as a parent that you never forget, both good and bad. In addition to a career as a pediatrician, I would also consider myself a cautious mother when it comes to caring for my own son, who is now a young adult. When he was young, I read all the latest how-to books and “baby proofed” my home from top to bottom — locks, guards, fences, padding — the works.
When my son was about four-years-old, I recall fighting a miserable cold while completing my residency. While preparing dinner, I left my decongestant bottle on the counter to remind myself to take the pills. In the blink of an eye, my son grabbed the bottle, thought he hit the M&Ms candy jackpot, and popped five brown tablets into his mouth.
I heard him make an odd sound and turned to see him spitting out the medication. I immediately examined his mouth, tried to discern if he had swallowed any pills (no, thankfully) and carefully watched him for the remainder of the day, greatly relieved he did not present any signs of over-the-counter medication poisoning.
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Every child is born with an inquisitive mind and an adventurous streak, to be sure. In the real world, can we ever really child proof everything? Of course not. If we tried, our homes would resemble prisons. Most parents successfully protect their children against obvious dangers, but it’s the secondary issues outlined here which can also help to keep children safe.
If the worst happens ? and during the course of any child’s life it usually does at least once ? take action immediately and reach out for medical assistance. When it comes to our children, you can’t be too cautious.
If you suspect a child in your care may have been poisoned or injured by a household item, call 911 or the Poison Control Help Center at 800-222-1222 for prompt professional guidance.
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