X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023

8 Things ER Doctors Refuse to Have in Their Homes

4 min read

The emergency room staff have seen it all, from the bizarre to the gruesome. This makes them the perfect people to give advice about safety because they know that even the most random things can cause serious damage.

Health.com recently compiled a list things ER doctors revealed they don’t want to have in their homes for safety concerns:

1. Button batteries

8 Things ER Doctors Refuse to Have in Their Homes

These little suckers are notorious for burning holes in children’s lungs and esophagus. Toddlers like shiny things in general, and because button batteries are small they can easily be swallowed and get stuck in their throats.

“The danger is they can get stuck in the esophagus. When a coin gets stuck, it often passes on its own,” said David J. Mathison, MD, pediatric emergency room physician and mid-Atlantic regional medical director, PM Pediatrics. “But when a button battery gets stuck, the battery acid can eat through the wall of the esophagus, causing lifelong disability.”

2. Swimming pools

8 Things ER Doctors Refuse to Have in Their Homes

Swimming is a good cardiovascular activity for everyone, particularly for children. Not only that, swimming is also an efficient whole-body work out. But the staggering reports of children drowning in their own swimming pools scare some doctors.

“For me, it is the fact that drowning occurs so fast, and often silently, that prevents me from ever wanting one at my house,” said Dara Kass, MD, assistant professor in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center.

3. Extension ladders

8 Things ER Doctors Refuse to Have in Their Homes

The potential head trauma and collapsed lungs wrought by falling from extension ladders renders some doctors apprehensive. “We often treat people who have fallen off of high ladders, which results in serious and extensive injuries,” said Seth Podolsky, MD, vice chair of Cleveland Clinic Emergency Medicine Institute.

On the next page, find out why ramen noodles is on the list!

4. Guns

8 Things ER Doctors Refuse to Have in Their Homes

This item is a no brainer. Countless lives have been claimed by guns accidentally shot by children who thought them toys. At the end of the day, they can cause more harm than good.

Amy Baxter, MD, pediatric emergency physician at Scottish Rite Children’s Healthcare in Atlanta, confessed: “I’m Libertarian enough to be conceptually pro-gun, but I’ve taken care of enough teenage suicides and accidental childhood deaths to not even let my kids go to houses where I know there’s a gun.”

5. Ramen noodle soups

8 Things ER Doctors Refuse to Have in Their Homes

Instant noodles may be efficient and fast way to feed a starving child, but when prepared through a microwave, they get extremely hot. And children can easily suffer severe burns from them.

“It’s the most common cause of scald burns in toddlers and infants I see,” revealed Dr. David J. Mathison. “Parents forget how hot these are when they’re on the counter, waiting to be pulled off by a handsy toddler.”

6. Old pain pills

8 Things ER Doctors Refuse to Have in Their Homes

Many people don’t throw away leftover pills, especially narcotic painkillers to save them from the inconvenience of getting a new prescription, but Dr. Ferdinando Mirarchi advises against this practice.

“We’ve had more kids coming in with overdoses from hydrocodone and oxycodone pain drugs [found in Vicodin, Percocet, Oxycontin]. Just one extended-release pill can kill a child.”

Did you know that high chairs are also on the list? Read on!

7. Blind cords

8 Things ER Doctors Refuse to Have in Their Homes

According to research, “most accidental deaths involving blind cords happen in the bedroom and occur in children between 16 months and 36 months old, with the majority happening at around 23 months.”

Because toddlers at this age are mobile, and their heads still weigh more than their bodies—their muscular control isn’t as sophisticated as older kids.

This makes them more prone to be unable to free themselves if they become entangled—and blind cords are notorious for this kind of accidents.

Partner Stories
Parents, here's what you should do when your child sees you and your spouse fighting
Parents, here's what you should do when your child sees you and your spouse fighting
3 Game Changing Baby Products that’s Now Available
3 Game Changing Baby Products that’s Now Available
13 Must-haves for Your Online Baby Checkout Checklist
13 Must-haves for Your Online Baby Checkout Checklist
Why Knowing Children’s Current Academic Ability Can Help them Advance in School
Why Knowing Children’s Current Academic Ability Can Help them Advance in School

8. High chairs that pull up to the table

8 Things ER Doctors Refuse to Have in Their Homes

Dr. Brian Fort, emergency medicine physician at Central DuPage Hospital, has had his fair share of patients who had suffered from head trauma, and most of the cases he’s handled had to do with products designed especially for children.

“Over half of ER visits for children under 1 are due to falls,” he said. “I wouldn’t get a high chair that pulls up to the table, because I’ve seen way too many kids use their feet to push against the table and tip their chair over backward. A fall like this from 3 feet can cause a skull fracture.”

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

James Martinez

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Child Safety
  • /
  • 8 Things ER Doctors Refuse to Have in Their Homes
Share:
  • Dads of boys: Here's how YOU can help stop violence against women

    Dads of boys: Here's how YOU can help stop violence against women

  • What is uninvolved parenting? Here's what you need to know about it

    What is uninvolved parenting? Here's what you need to know about it

  • What is authoritative parenting? Here's what you need to know about it

    What is authoritative parenting? Here's what you need to know about it

  • Dads of boys: Here's how YOU can help stop violence against women

    Dads of boys: Here's how YOU can help stop violence against women

  • What is uninvolved parenting? Here's what you need to know about it

    What is uninvolved parenting? Here's what you need to know about it

  • What is authoritative parenting? Here's what you need to know about it

    What is authoritative parenting? Here's what you need to know about it

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at update sa pag-aalaga ng baby at kanilang kalusugan.