Keeping senior loved ones safe at home is crucial. Due to physical limitations, cognitive decline, or poor eyesight, seniors often are at higher risk of harm from everyday household items. At Senior Helpers Webster Groves, we want to help seniors remain safe and independent in their homes. That's why we've compiled a list of some of the most common poisonous household items that may present a danger to them, how they pose a risk to seniors, and how to avoid or minimize the risk.
Types of Poisonous Household Items
Some of the most common poisonous household items that could put seniors at risk include:
1. Cleaning Products
Cleaning products such as bleach, ammonia, drain cleaner, oven cleaner, and toilet bowl cleaner can all have toxic ingredients that can be harmful if inhaled or ingested. Accidentally ingesting them can cause nausea, vomiting, or other serious side effects.
2. Medications
Prescription and over-the-counter medications if not taken and stored according to the directions may cause poisoning. Accidental ingestion of medications may cause dizziness, confusion, and even death if not addressed quickly.
3. Plants
Some household plants, such as aloe, lily of the valley, daffodil, and philodendron, may cause nausea, vomiting, and other severe side effects if ingested.
4. Pesticides
Pesticides keep insects and rodents away. But inhaling the fumes or coming in direct contact with the pesticide may cause breathing difficulty and skin irritation to humans and pets.
How Seniors Are at Risk
Seniors are more susceptible to poisoning occurring from household items for the following reasons:
- Physical limitations
Accidents in which a senior ingests or suffers exposure to poisonous fumes may happen more readily due to physical limitations.
- Cognitive decline
Cognitive decline leads to forgetfulness and confusion. These mental problems put seniors at risk of ingesting or misusing poisonous items.
- Poor eyesight
Poor eyesight makes it difficult for seniors to read product labels or recognize potential warning signs of dangerous items. Misreading labels increases the risk of accidental poisoning.
Prevention Tips
Follow the tips below to ensure your senior loved one remains safe from accidental poisoning:
- Proper storage
Ensure that your senior family member stores all potentially poisonous items in a safe, secure area inaccessible to them. This precaution will reduce the risk of accidental ingestion.
- Read labels
Make sure to read and review labels carefully with your senior loved one for any warnings or signs of danger before using a product. Reviewing the label will help them identify potential sources of danger before using a product.
- Monitor medication use
Caregivers should monitor medications and ensure that their senior loved one follows instructions. Administering medications with care ensure that seniors take the right amount of medicine and reduce the risk of accidental ingestion.
We're Here to Help
Seniors and their loved ones need to be aware of common poisonous household items that could put them at risk. At Senior Helpers Webster Groves, we understand the importance of ensuring seniors remain safe and independent with our top-notch in-home senior care services. If you or someone you know lives in the St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Webster Groves, Richmond Heights, Kirkwood, Affton, Frontenac, Mehlville, Crestwood, or Oakville areas and needs help with home care, don't hesitate to contact us today.