I love plants, and I thought that this would be a great PSA for fellow plant lovers...
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KristinasMama
How did she turn 2 so quickly?
Member since 10/07 8257 total posts
Name: Blessed Mama of Kristina Elena
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I love plants, and I thought that this would be a great PSA for fellow plant lovers...
Which houseplants/outdoor plants should we avoid having a baby on the loose?
(This was in an email that I received from BabyCenter.... and be forewarned... there are A LOT!)
Martin N. Simenc, child safety expert Many parents worry that their child may get sick from nibbling on a poisonous plant. The good news is that most houseplants and outdoor plants are completely safe. Even so-called "toxic" plants don't usually cause more than a stomachache after a few bites. Still, some plants can definitely be dangerous to children.
See below for a list of toxic plants commonly found in houses and yards. Pictures of many of these are available at Cornell University's Poisonous Plant Database.
If you need help identifying a particular plant, take a clipping to a local nursery for assistance. And if you suspect poisoning from a plant or any other source, call the American Association of Poison Control Centers' national emergency hotline at (800) 222-1222, which will automatically redirect you to a local poison control center. Add this number to your list of emergency numbers by the phone.
Poisonous plants:
Flowers:
Azalea
Daffodil bulbs
Delphinium
False hellebore
Foxglove
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Larkspur
Lily-of-the-valley
Lupine
Monkshood
Oleander
Rhododendron
Tansy
Wisteria
House plants:
Dumb cane
Caladium
Ground plants:
Baneberry
Belladonna
Caladium
Caper spurge
Death camas
Nightshade
Poison hemlock
Pokeweed
Water hemlock
White snakeroot
Trees:
Black locust
Buckeye
Cherry
Chinaberry
Goldenchain
Holly
Mountain laurel
Sandbox
Tung
Shrubs:
Castor bean
Daphne
Duranta
Holly
Jessamine
Lantana
Mistletoe
Mountain laurel
Privet
Pyracantha (firethorn)
Rosary pea
Yew
Vines:
Goldenchain
Moonseed
Philodendron
Rubber vine
Other:
Jimsonweed (weed found in gardens)
Mushrooms
Rhubarb leaves
Plants don't have to be poisonous to pose a hazard to children. Take a careful look around your home to make sure you don't have any hanging plants or plants on top of furniture that your child might be able to reach. Parents frequently overlook dangling vines that, if pulled, could bring down a heavy pot. And don't overlook potted plants on tables that could fall if your child shakes the table.
Even if you're sure your plants don't pose a poisoning or falling hazard, you still need to take a few precautions. First, don't use any surface or crystallized fertilizer, which could be toxic to your child. Make sure there aren't small rocks in your plant pots — they're easily overlooked choking hazards. If you want to keep your child from digging in the dirt, cut a piece of fine chicken wire or cardboard to fit the pot and place it over the dirt.
If this is too much for you, just temporarily relocate your plants to a room you've made off-limits with a door latch or gate.
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Posted 9/17/08 1:04 AM |
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