Why they find it attractive:: Some kids love to hold items that have been used on them. Some thermometers have the blinking and beeping effects that are also attractive for your curious one

What’s the danger: Anything that contains button batteries will top my chart of lists of things ‘not’ to give your child.  Button batteries are extremely dangerous when swallowed. They can burn the feeding and breathing tube in as little as 2 hours. Most thermometers contain button batteries and when these batteries fall out, your child may put them in the mouth.

What to do?  Take it away completely. It’s not a play option. You can consider colorful pretend doctor kits, most of them contain thermometers.   

2. The Remote control

Why they find it attractive: Kids are naturally attracted to what their parents or older siblings have. My daughter’s interest in remote control increased when she noticed it could turn our Television on and off. 

What’s the danger:  Most batteries function with small lithium button batteries and for the same reason listed above, they are unsafe. Also, some remote controls have small parts and buttons that may fall apart when they chew on it and could possibly be swallowed.  Kids are smart, so with a few hits on the floor, they can pretty much tear the remote controls apart.

What to do? Get them child-friendly remote controls, preferable one that doesn’t use button batteries. Be sure to check other options out yourselves too.

3. Your keys:

Why they find it attractive: They are shiny and they also love dangling noises a bunch of keys can cause.

What’s the danger: Keys are made of brass and contain a small amount of lead. Although the amount of lead may not be high enough to cause injury immediately, lead poisoning affects kids but mentally and developmentally. There are currently no federal standards regarding how much lead is safe in key.

What to do? Get them their own toy plastic keys to chew on. A colorful one would be perfect for them

4. Pill bottles and containers

Why they find it attractive: Kids are attracted shiny containers so this attracts them. Some are also curious about the sounds from shaking pills in the container. 

What’s the danger: The risk of accidentally swallowing a pill or multiple pills are high. Although most containers are safety proof now, I’ve seen a few kids find a way through and open then. 

What to do?  Invest in child friendly, safe, colorful containers. Some have objects which have the same shake effect but are too big to fall out when opened. Less likelihood of them fitting large objects in the mouth

5. Straws

Why they find it attractive: The older infants and toddlers love the idea of being able to sip with a straw. This is good for their development especially when you are weaning them off a bottle. Straw cups can also help build lip, cheek and tongue strength.

What’s the danger: The harm comes when a child engages in active playing such as jumping, running, etc, while they have a straw in their mouths. The straw (especially hard ones) can cause a cut inside the mouth if it pokes far back into the child’s mouth or throat. Some severe enough to damage an important blood supply

What to do? Observe them while they use the straw and make sure they are not actively playing with a straw in the mouth. Teach them to put it down before play

6. Diaper rash cream or other creams

Why they find it attractive: They may not be attracted to this but if it’s a quick and easy consoling tool within your reach while struggling with diaper change. You may just reach out and give it to them without a thought. 

What’s the danger: At this age, almost everything goes to the mouth first then everywhere else. Your child who you didn’t think has teeth can suck and chew on the tube till its open. By the time you realize, he or she may have swallowed a good amount of the content which can be dangerous.  

The tube cap can also be choking risk if accidentally unscrewed

What to do?  Don’t give it to them. Plan diaper change by having one of their safe toys handy. If you don’t have a safe toy, better to have them cry for a few mins than to give them a temporary play thing that could cause an ED visit

7. Coins

Why they find it attractive: Its shiny nature. For the older toddlers who listen and pay attention to you, they may think they are rich too. 

What’s the danger: It’s a choking hazard which can quickly lead to obstruction. Choking can quickly lead to death if the airway is not cleared immediately.  

What to do? Be sure to always store coins and other small items safely away. Consider buying a smart kid piggy bank that can help teach your child how to store things away. If buying a piggy bank with coins, consider ones that use large coins that can’t fit in their mouth.

8. Small brick sets

Why they find it attractive:  Small brick sets, popularly known as Legos, are a favorite in most homes. To younger ones, the colors are fancy enough and the size is small enough to fit their mouths. They are fascinating and an ideal engagement for older kids but if you have younger children in the mix like i do, you have to be careful. 

What’s the danger: Small items can cause choking in kids when swallowed especially infants and toddler. Also, some of them are small enough to fit in other holes they place objects- their ears and nose

What to do? Separate toys by age. Get a dedicated container to pack legos. Be sure it’s a container that snaps shut or locks. Raising Dragons has some great ideas for DIYs too.  Always encourage older siblings to pack up once they are done playing with theirs 

Here’s to hoping that you and your little ones stay safe.

Let me know what other items you find safe or not and what safer alternatives you use.

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