Childproofing Medications and Dangerous Agents

Accidental injury, including accidental ingestion, is the number one cause of death among children in the United States. National statistics indicate that more than 2 million children ingest medications or dangerous agents each year in the United States alone. Because accidental ingestions are preventable, deliberate action is necessary to reduce their occurrence.

Childproofing is a process of identifying and subsequently reducing or eliminating environmental threats to young children. Toddlers and preschoolers are at risk because of their innate curiosity and their tendency to learn about their environment by tasting it. Young children's stature also places them at risk because ground-level objects and cabinet doors and drawers are at their eye level, inviting exploration. In a 2005 article, Robin Wilkerson and colleagues noted that although young children ...