9 Most Common Household Poisons
http://www.nanny.net/blog/9-most-common-household-poisons
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unintentional poisoning results in almost 82 deaths per day in the United States, and an additional 1,941 emergency room visits. Proper storage and handling of poisonous materials is a common-sense approach to safeguarding your family and pets, but do you know all of the poison hazards in your home? Of all the potentially dangerous products in the average home, the following are the 9 most common household poisons:
1- Medicines – If not kept out of the reach of children, or if not taken as prescribed, common medications in the home can be poisonous. Cold and flu medicines, and analgesics account for a large number of poisonings.
2- Cosmetics / Personal Care Products – Among children under the age of 6, who account for more than half the cases of unintentional poisonings in the U.S., these products are most commonly involved. Perfumes, nail polish remover, mouthwash, even toothpaste are poison risks for children.
3- Cleaning Products – Bleach, ammonia, solvents, furniture polish; drain cleaners, oven cleaners, lye and detergents all need to be stored properly and kept out of children’s reach and away from pets.
4- Pesticides – When treating the home for pests, it is important to take care in what areas are treated and to observe the label instructions very closely. Rodent poisons should never be placed within reach of children or pets, or in food storage areas. Always wear gloves when handling pesticides.
5- Paints / Paint Thinners – Whether via fume inhalation, ingestion, or lead poisoning, paints and thinners are potentially hazardous products. Care should be taken to use proper ventilation when using these products.
6- Plants – Some household plants can be toxic when ingested by pets or small children. Around the holidays, hazards include such common decorative plants as mistletoe, poinsettias and holly.
7- Small Batteries – The combination of their size and chemical composition makes these miniature batteries, like those used in watches and hearing aids, a serious choke and poisoning risk.
8- Antifreeze – Can be fatal if swallowed. This common household item is particularly dangerous because it has an attractive smell and taste to pets, and is readily accessible to them if spills are not cleaned thoroughly.
9- Hydrocarbons – These products include gasoline, kerosene, motor oil, lighter fluid, and lamp oils. They are not only a choke hazard, but pose a risk to the lungs when ingested. Another leading cause of poisoning death in children.
House plants, Flowering-Foliage-Poisonous- Inside and Indoor plant names in Utah
Flowering Plants:
Orchids
African Violets
Bromeliads
Hydrangeas
Gerbera Daisies
Gardenias
Hibiscus
Jasmine
Bougainvillea
Florist Azaleas
Foliage Plants: Choose from 10-foot high dandys or even 2-inch starters.
Ivy Topiaries
Ficus Trees
Peace Lilies
Cactus
Citrus
Ferns
Indoor Bonsai
Rex Begonias
Poisonous-
-Calla Lily
(Zantedeschia species)
-Dumb Cane
(Dieffenbachia species)
-Easter Lily
(Lilium longiflorum)
-Peace Lily
(Spathiphyllum species)
-Philodendron
(Philodendron species)
-Poinsettia
(Euphorbia pulcherrima)
-Pothos, devil’s ivy, taro vine, hunter’s-robe
(Epipremnum aureum)
-Rubber Tree
(Ficus species
-Umbrella Tree
(Schefflera actinophylla, Brassaia actinophylla)
http://uuhsc.utah.edu/poison/plants/index.cfm?action=main.ListPlantsByType&plant_type=House
Inside plants in Utah
Indoor Plants: Nature’s Air Freshners
By Dennis Hinkamp
Most homes have at least one house plant. Possibly the most popular is the low-maintenance cactus. House plants serve to soften the hard interior and create interest by inviting nature into the home. Other benefits from house plants include higher humidity, added color and healthier air.
Aromatic plants bring into a room or house an often overlooked benefit. Not all house plants are fragrant, but some have a pleasant scent and thrive indoors. The long winter months, when only the smell of cooking fills the indoor air, is a good time to introduce some new fragrances that can help bring a glimpse of spring into the home, says Jerry Goodspeed, Utah State University Extension horticulturist.
“Fragrant plants can help mask cooking and other odors, eliminating the need for air fresheners,” Goodspeed says. “It’s preferable to have a nice plant emitting a fragrant aroma than have the smell of burnt toast masked with the smell of ‘tree in a can.’”
He says scented geraniums are probably the most popular fragrant house plant. They do not thrive indoors, but will stay healthy if placed in a well lit location, plus there is a wide assortment of aromas. Among the most popular are lemon, almond, pine trees, peppermint, orange, pineapple and even chocolate.
However, one of the drawbacks with some scented geraniums is their scent is weak, Goodspeed explains. Some require that you rub the leaves to get a strong whiff of their fragrance. This would be fine, but most plants can only stand so much rubbing before they die.
“It’s the foliage of scented geraniums that carries the pleasant aroma,” he says. “These geraniums need to dry out between watering, and be fertilized only about once a month during the winter. In the summer they can be moved outdoors and allowed to bloom.”
Goodspeed says another blooming aromatic house plant is the gardenia. Lack of light is the biggest problem with getting a gardenia to grow and bloom indoors. They require a sun room, and do best in indirect light. In the winter they need to stay cool at night (55 to 60 degrees), and can be a high maintenance plant.
He suggests other flowering plants that may be easier to grow in the house: pink jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum), string of beads (Senecio rowleyanus), wax flower (Stephanotis floribunda), and wax plant (Hoya). These plant all require some special care and bloom better in indirect light in a sun room or other well-lit location. They all should be allowed to slow down and rest during the winter, by reducing the fertilization and keeping them somewhat cooler.
Goodspeed says the Hoya, string of beads and wax flower are all vining plants and can be trained up a wire or trellis, or planted in a hanging basket. The flowers have a sweet fragrance that can be smelled throughout a small greenhouse or large room.
“The common hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) can be planted in a pot and forced to bloom indoors during the winter months,” he says. “It also has a very sweet aroma that can fill a room. After they have bloomed and the foliage has died back, they can be planted outdoors and enjoyed for many springs to come. Buy new bulbs each year for forcing indoors.”
For more information, contact your local USU County Extension office.