Hidden dangers: Protecting children from toxic pest control substances at home

SHAH ALAM - In a household with children, every corner can harbor hidden dangers.

Among the most insidious are pest control substances, often overlooked by busy parents and caregivers.

Children, with their natural curiosity and quick reflexes, can easily come into contact with these toxic materials.

While some may escape harm, others are not as fortunate.

Alarming incidents of children nearly ingesting these substances highlighted the urgent need for stringent safety measures.

Speaking to Sinar Daily, Theivanai Muniandy, 54, who hails from Kuala Selangor shared a close call that prompted her to overhaul her household's safety protocols.

"One of my grandchildren found a rat bait under the kitchen sink and nearly ingested it.

"Fortunately, I was nearby and stopped the child in time. This incident led me to reinforce safety measures at home," she recounted.

To prevent such risks, Theivanai said she conducted frequent checks around the house to ensure no traps or baits were being left within children's reach.

She also said that it is important to educate children about the dangers of touching or eating unknown objects and told them to inform an adult if they found something suspicious.

"We would teach children about the dangers of touching or eating unknown objects and to inform an adult if they find something suspicious," she said.

She said she kept all poisonous substances, including rat traps and baits, locked in cabinets or storage areas inaccessible to children.

She said she also placed the traps and baits in concealed or elevated spots, such as behind the kitchen appliances or in the attic, where children cannot reach them.

Daisy Morgan, 47, experienced a similar scare when her son nearly ate cat food and rat bait she had placed under a cupboard.

She said small children love to pick up objects which were small and easy to access.

This, she said was why she adopted non-toxic pest control methods like electronic traps and natural repellents to minimise the risk of poisoning.

"I've also installed safety barriers or gates to restrict the children’s access to areas where traps or baits were placed.

She said her husband labelled all toxic substances clearly in their house adding that she educated all household members about the dangers of these poisonous items.

By keeping the house clean and free of food crumbs, Daisy said they reduced the need for traps and baits.

"We also keep the house clean and free of food crumbs to avoid attracting pests and reduce the need for traps and baits.

"We ensure that pets do not have access to traps or baits, as children often mimic the pet's behavior," she said.

Meanwhile Latifah Abdul Hassan, 58, took a different approach to mitigate the risks associated with pest control substances.

After her granddaughter nearly ingested a piece of bait from the garden, Latifah decided to hire professional pest control services.

To further safeguard her home, Latifah designated specific, high and locked storage areas for all poisonous substances.

Childproof locks and alarms on cabinets containing hazardous items were also among the safety measures she took.

"We also conduct regular checks to ensure that traps or baits have not been disturbed or moved to areas accessible to children.

"We decided to do this because one time, my granddaughter was playing with the bait before putting it in her mouth, but luckily, my son saw it in time," she said.

The hidden dangers

Pest control substances are dangerous, especially when accessible to children.

These substances can cause severe health issues, including poisoning, if ingested, inhaled or even touched.

Children, due to their smaller size and developing bodies, are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of these chemicals.

Therefore, parents and caregivers must be proactive in creating a safe environment, continuously educating children about potential dangers and regularly inspecting areas where hazardous materials are stored or used.