As a parent, you take every precaution to protect your little ones from danger. You securely lock bleach and insecticides from prying hands, you stow all of your breakables and sharp objects out of reach, and you keep a gate on your stairs and foam padding on the corners of your furniture. But toddlers and preschoolers are an intrepid bunch, determined to explore the world around them. In their quest, they may happen upon household dangers hiding in plain sight. If you have a child that has suffered in any way as a result of a dangerous product, don’t hesitate in getting ahold of our team of experienced and successful Savannah injury attorneys so they can get right to work recovering and obtaining the proper compensation you and your family deserve.
Do you have one of these unexpected household dangers lurking in your home?
- Antibacterial Products
You dutifully wipe your kid’s hands after every outing, thinking that you’re banishing germs from your home. But what if we told you that you may be doing more harm than good? The Centers for Disease Control states that antibacterial use in young children may actually hinder immune system development.
Tricolsan, a common antibacterial agent, recently came under review by the Food and Drug Administration, who recommended that it should be removed from antibacterial soaps and cleansers. The proliferation of antibacterial products is also thought to be a contributing factor to antibiotic resistance, which creates so-called “superbugs.” Our advice? Let your kids get a little dirty–their immune systems will thank you.
- Plastic Bags
Ever heard the adage, “a diamond is forever?” Well, so are our plastic products. But plastic bags lack the glitz and glam that we associate with diamonds. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a floating mass of plastic waste floating 1,000 miles off the coast of California, estimated to be twice as large as the state of Texas. Plastic bags present hazards at home too, both as choking and suffocating hazards. Swap out your plastic grocery bags for reusable alternatives. Your children and the environment both benefit.
- Pressboard Products
If you’ve ever owned a budget piece of furniture, you’ve probably experienced the aggravation of chipping, loose pieces of pressed wood. These loose pieces are more than just an annoyance: they could be detrimental to your kid’s health. The glue in some of these products contain a kind of formaldehyde, which the EPA estimates is the largest source of indoor emissions. Purchase hardwood versions of furniture whenever possible. If hardwood pieces aren’t in your budget, look to newer pressboard options, which are better regulated. Discard chipping pieces of pressboard immediately–never let your child ingest them.
- Laser Printers
You may not think twice about letting your kids into your home office. But recent studies indicate that laser printers give off chemicals known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are also found in older paints and carpet glue. If you use your laser printer casually, you’re likely not producing enough VOCs to cause any harm. But if your home business has you printing off lots of pages, consider keeping your printing area off limits to children.
- Detergent Pods
Those convenient, pre-measured pods that seamlessly produce a perfectly laundered load of clothing look like candy to a small child. Young toddlers and teething babies explore the world with their mouth; if it looks enticing, in it goes. The danger with these pods isn’t so much the detergent itself, but the shape and size. If swallowed, detergent pods can cause a child to choke and suffocate. If they ingest detergent, call your local poison control center.
The law requires companies to disclose any known hazards about their products. If a negligent company has caused your child to become injured or ill, contact our law firm to set up a free case evaluation. Our experienced Savannah, GA product liability lawyers have a track record of successful case results and can inform your next steps and ensure you have an articulate, effective claim.