As Senior Helpers Princeton, an in-home senior care company serving the Princeton, Plainsboro, Princeton Junction, Hopewell, Lawrenceville, and Pennington areas, we understand how important it is for your elderly relative to move into a safe and healthy home environment. To help ensure that their home is as safe as possible, we suggest removing certain hazardous and poisonous household items before they arrive.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the common hazardous and poisonous items in the home and outline how to organize them. By the end of this post, you will have the information necessary to keep your family safe and healthy.
Pesticides
Pesticides are common household items that can be dangerous to the elderly. These substances contain toxic chemicals that can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin, or ingested if handled or consumed accidentally. To protect your elderly relative, discard all pesticides before they arrive.
Old or Expired Medication
Old or expired medication can be dangerous if ingested. It's important to check all medications in your home. Dispose of expired medications and those you no longer need. In addition, dispose of the medications you no longer use properly at a local pharmacy or drug store. Also, you can reach out to your local county authorities to learn if there are any specific disposal instructions. Often, cities or towns will hold special events that allow citizens to safely get rid of old or expired medications.
Poisonous Plants
Certain plants found in the home may be poisonous if ingested. Common poisonous plants include lilies, dieffenbachias, and poinsettias. To keep your elderly relative safe, remove all poisonous plants from the home and/or replace them with non-toxic alternatives. Also, if you have questions about a certain plant, make sure to do some online searches to see if you can learn about possible toxicity.
Cleaning Products
Common household cleaning products, such as bleach and glass cleaners, contain toxic chemicals when exposed to the skin or if consumed. To ensure their safety, lock away all cleaning products in a secure cupboard or closet and store them out of reach. You should also make your senior relative aware of any cleaning products that could be hazardous.
How to Organize Hazardous Household Items
It's important to organize hazardous material properly to ensure that it's out of reach of your elderly family member. Label and store all hazardous materials, including cleaning products, pesticides, and medications, in a secure cupboard or closet. Also, keep them away from any areas where food is prepared or stored.
Senior Helpers Princeton Can Assist With Household Organization
At Senior Helpers Princeton, we are dedicated to helping you provide the best care possible for your elderly relative. With the right precautions, you can keep your family safe and healthy in their own home. Contact us today to learn more about the services that we offer for senior adults!