Hidden Household Hazards: 6 Everyday Items That Could Be Dangerous for Your Child

As parents, we want our homes to be places where our children can feel safe and secure. We do our best to protect them from harm in every way possible, but sometimes, the biggest risks are found in seemingly harmless everyday things.

From furniture to cleaning products, many household items pose hidden dangers. But that doesn’t mean you need to start going through your house and tossing out anything that looks remotely dangerous. Instead, with a few simple adjustments, you can make sure your home is a safe haven for every member of the family.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at six common household items that could be harmful to children, as well as provide simple tips on how to keep your kids safe at home.

1. Upholstered Furniture

Upholstered furniture, like sofas, armchairs, and cushions, are found in most homes, but many people don’t realize that these items pose fire risks. Many upholstered pieces are made with materials like foam, which can catch fire quickly if exposed to a spark or open flame.

Recent reports have found that new upholstered furniture often contains synthetic materials—like laminates, adhesives, and plastics—that burn faster and hotter than traditional materials, such as wood and cotton. And, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), upholstered items tend to be the first to catch fire.

According to the NFPA, each year from 2019 to 2023:

• Approximately 888 fires caused by smoking involved upholstered furniture or vehicle seats being the first item to ignite.
• House fires caused by smoking where upholstered items were the first to ignite led to an estimated 156 deaths and 197 injuries each year.
• Fires caused by smoking materials that began in living rooms or other common areas resulted in most deaths, followed by those starting in bedrooms.

While the government has implemented fire safety regulations to make these products safer, older furniture or items that were made before the latest standards went into effect may still pose a risk. It’s important to double-check your furniture and other upholstered items to make sure that they comply with all the applicable regulations.

2. Plastic Bags

From bringing home groceries to lining trash cans or storing food, we use plastic bags all the time, but we don’t often think about the risks they pose to little ones. Children, especially curious toddlers, may grab a plastic bag and put it in their mouth or over their head. This can lead to choking or suffocation.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports an average of 25 child deaths each year related to suffocation caused by plastic bags. In the vast majority of these cases (about 90%), the child was under the age of one. In response, certain cities and states—including California, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia, New York City, and Chicago—have implemented regulations requiring suffocation warning labels on plastic bags.

It’s important that plastic bags are always kept out of children’s reach. Be sure to also dispose of plastic bags properly when they’re no longer needed and keep them away from your child’s crib or sleep area.

3. Lighters & Matches

Kids are naturally curious, especially toddlers and preschoolers who love to explore the world around them. Unfortunately, this curiosity can turn dangerous when it comes to fire-starting items, like lighters and matches. What might seem like an everyday object to an adult can be a fascinating toy to a child.

According to a report by the American Red Cross, about 300 people die every year in the United States in fires that were started by children playing with matches, lighters, candles, or other fire sources. And, tragically, children under five years old are twice as likely to die in home fires as children five and older, teens, or adults. More than half (about 66.67%) of home fires started by children playing with fire involve children playing with matches or lighters.

Even child-resistant lighters aren't completely foolproof. They’re designed to be harder for kids to use, not impossible. In fact, a study on the effectiveness of the U.S. safety standard for child-resistant cigarette lighters found that, while the standard reduced fire deaths, some children were still able to operate the lighters.

Fire experts always recommend storing matches and lighters in locked drawers, high cabinets, or boxes with childproof locks. If you use candles, including birthday candles, or incense, be sure to put them out immediately after using them. Always keep matches or lighters securely stored before and after lighting candles or incense. Regularly check common “catch-all” spots, like junk drawers or nightstands, to make sure lighters haven’t been left within reach of small children.

It’s also a good idea to talk to children (age appropriately, of course) about the dangers of fire. As kids grow, teaching them about fire safety becomes just as important as keeping dangerous items out of reach.

4. Window Covering Cords

Window covering cords, such as those found on window blinds and shades, are another hidden hazard in many homes. If children play with or become entangled in these cords, it can lead to serious injuries. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has implemented safety standards to mitigate the risks, but many older window coverings may not comply with these updated standards.

In November 2022, the CPSC approved a new federal safety standard specifically targeting custom window coverings. This standard aims to prevent deaths and serious injuries from strangulation by addressing the risks associated with accessible cords longer than eight inches. The new standard deems cords longer than eight inches a substantial hazard and requires custom window coverings to adhere to specific performance conditions for safe operation.

Even with the CPSC’s updated guidelines for safer window coverings, it’s still important to check your home for cords that might be accessible to your child. The CPSC strongly recommends switching to cordless window coverings or, if cordless coverings are not an option, installing cord safety devices, which help deter children from playing with cords.

5. Batteries

Batteries, especially button batteries, can pose a serious risk to children. Button batteries are found in everything from key fobs to toys to watches, remotes, thermometers, and even musical greeting cards. Because they’re small and easy to access, it’s not uncommon for young children to get ahold of them. Sometimes, they may swallow them or put them into their noses or ears. A swallowed battery can start causing damage in as little as two hours, leading to chemical burns in the esophagus, airway, or stomach.

A recent study evaluated battery-related injuries in children from 2010 through 2019 and found that the rate of injuries more than doubled from the past decade (1990 to 2009). And button batteries were involved in a whopping 85% of cases where the type of battery was known. More alarming still, the study found that the severity of battery-related injuries in children may be increasing. This correlates with more widespread use of higher-voltage lithium coin cell batteries.

To keep your little one safe, always store spare batteries out of their reach or in locked cabinets or drawers. Make sure that the battery compartments on toys are secure; check toys regularly to make sure that the screws that hold the battery compartments closed have not come loose.

6. Cleaning Products & Chemicals

Many common cleaning products—such as bleach, disinfectants, and laundry detergents—contain chemicals that can be harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or even absorbed through the skin. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 65,600 children under the age of five receive emergency care each year due to accidental poisoning. While most of these cases involve medications, supplements, and illegal drugs or narcotics, laundry packets and bleach are both among the top 10 most common substances involved in pediatric poisoning.

Data from the National Poison Data Systems (NPDS) reveal that, from 2019 to 2020, there was a 10% increase in children five and younger who were exposed to household cleaning products.

The products children were most commonly exposed to included:

• Laundry detergent packets
• Bleach
• All-purpose cleaners
• Drain cleaners
• Oven cleaners

To reduce the risk, store cleaning products in locked, childproof cabinets or on high shelves where kids can’t reach them. You can also consider using non-toxic or natural cleaning alternatives, which may be less harmful.

Legislative Efforts to Make Household Items Safer

Over the years, there has been significant progress in reducing the risks posed by many household items. Ongoing legislation continues to strengthen safety standards with updates to past regulations.

Flammability Requirements for Upholstered Furniture

Under the Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA), which also regulates children’s sleepwear and clothing, upholstered furniture must pass several flammability tests and must be adequately labeled. An adequate label is one that states the product meets the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)’s furniture flammability requirements and meets certain other criteria related to the size and color of the text, the label’s background color, and its border.

Upholstered furniture specifically designed for children is subject to additional regulations related to the use of lead paint, total lead content, and phthalates. These regulations also cover things like third-party testing, certification, and tracking labels.

Plastic Bag Warning Labels

As of April 2025, there are no federal regulations requiring plastic bags to contain safety warnings or labels. However, many cities and states have implemented their own plastic bag safety standards to help prevent the risk of suffocation. However, these regulations do not apply to all types of plastic bags. Many do not contain any warning labels, regardless of whether they pose a safety risk to children.

Child-Resistant Mechanisms on Lighters

The CPSC mandates that lighters and multi-purpose lighters sold or distributed in the United States contain a child-resistant mechanism or system that meets specific criteria.

The child-resistant mechanism or system must:

• Prevent 85% or more of children from activating the lighter
• Reset automatically after each use
• Work properly for the lighter’s expected lifespan
• Not affect the safe use of the lighter (when used normally)
• Be difficult or impossible to override or undo

Hands-free multi-purpose lighters are subject to additional requirements, including the mandatory inclusion of an additional lock or switch feature, a manual mechanism to turn off the flame, and a feature that causes the lighter to automatically reset.

Window Covering Cord Safety Standards

According to the CPSC, about eight children up to the age of eight die every year from strangulation related to window covering cords. To help prevent such tragedies, the CPSC updated its window covering cord safety standards in 2022. Under the new regulations, which went into effect on June 1, 2024, most window coverings sold in the U.S. must be cordless or have short and/or inaccessible cords.

The revised standard prohibits:

• Free-hanging operating cords
• Free-hanging tilt cords
• Multiple cords going into a cord connector
• Continuous cord loops and bead chains

While the original safety standards mandated that all stock products, whether sold in store or online, be free from cords or have inaccessible cords, the revised standards apply to all made-to-order custom window treatments and horizontal slatted custom window coverings. It also places enhanced performance requirements on products containing permitted retractable cords, continuous cord loops, and other features.

Button Cell & Coin Battery Regulations

In 2022, Congress passed Reese’s Law (HR5313), named in honor of Reese Hamsmith, an 18-month-old who tragically passed away after swallowing a remote control’s button cell battery. The law, which tasked the CPSC with creating warning label requirements for button cell and coin battery-containing products and packaging, aims to reduce the risks of children under the age of seven ingesting and being harmed by these types of batteries.

Reese’s Law and the CPSC’s button cell and coin battery safety regulations are the most recent legislative efforts to eliminate battery-related injuries and deaths in young children. Previous regulations also impose safety regulations on how most types of batteries are packaged, how products with battery compartments—especially toys—are designed, and how batteries and battery packaging are labeled.

Cleaning Product Packaging & Safety Warnings

There have been many efforts to increase the safety of household cleaners and related products. Under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act of 1960, many different types of hazardous substances, whether for residential or commercial use, must be adequately labeled with appropriate safety warnings.

This includes substances that are:

• Flammable
• Combustible
• Corrosive
• Toxic

In addition to warning labels, these products must also have instructions for safe use, storage, and disposal.

Furthermore, ​the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) of 1970 grants the CPSC the authority to mandate child-resistant packaging for various household substances to prevent accidental poisoning in children. Under this authority, the CPSC has implemented regulations requiring child-resistant packaging for specific household cleaning products. For example, in 2001, the CPSC issued a rule mandating child-resistant packaging for certain low-viscosity hydrocarbon-containing products, such as some cleaning solvents, due to their potential aspiration hazards if ingested by children. ​

Childproofing Your Home: Simple Safety Tips for Parents

As parents, it’s impossible to keep an eye on everything all the time—and that’s okay. But there are practical, everyday changes you can make around your home that can significantly reduce the risk of injury to your child.

Here are a few straightforward (and manageable) steps to help create a safer space for your little ones.

Anchor Heavy Furniture & TVs

Furniture tip-overs are more common than you might think. A curious toddler trying to climb a dresser or pull on a TV stand can unintentionally bring it crashing down. The CPSC reports that a child dies every two weeks in the U.S. from furniture tip-overs.

To prevent this:

• Use anti-tip brackets or furniture straps to secure bookshelves, dressers, and TVs to the wall.
• Avoid placing tempting items (like toys or remotes) on top of furniture that might encourage climbing.

Store Plastic Bags Safely

Plastic bags may seem harmless, but they pose a serious suffocation risk, especially to children under age five.

When it comes to plastic bags around the house, keep these tips in mind:

• Don’t leave plastic grocery or dry-cleaning bags within reach.
• Store bags in a cabinet with a childproof latch, or switch to reusable fabric bags that don’t present the same hazard.
• Immediately discard packaging bags, like those that come with new pillows or bedding.

Keep Lighters & Matches Locked Away

Kids are naturally curious about fire. Unfortunately, that curiosity can have devastating consequences. Many house fires start when young children find a lighter or match left out in the open.

Here are some simple steps parents can take to reduce the risk of fires:

• Store matches and lighters in locked drawers or high cabinets.
• Talk to your child (in age-appropriate terms) about why these items are not toys.
• Use lighters with child-resistant features—but remember, no lighter is entirely childproof.

Replace or Modify Window Coverings

Window cords may blend into the background of your home, but for young kids, they can be dangerous. The CPSC has updated its safety rules, requiring nearly all window coverings sold in the U.S. to be cordless or have inaccessible cords.

Here are some ways to make your window treatments safer:

• If your home has older blinds or shades, consider replacing them with cordless options.
• Alternatively, install cord cleats or tension devices to secure loose cords out of reach.
• Keep cribs and furniture away from windows with cords to prevent access.

Secure Batteries & Electronics

Small button batteries—like those found in remotes, key fobs, toys, and hearing aids—can be extremely dangerous if swallowed. They can cause serious internal injuries in just hours.

To reduce the risk, parents can:

• Choose products with battery compartments that require a screwdriver or tool to open.
• Keep loose batteries locked away and out of reach.
• Be extra cautious around toys and electronics that are not specifically designed for children, as they may not have child-safe battery compartments.

Safely Store Cleaning Products

Cleaning supplies may be part of everyday life, but many contain chemicals that can be harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or touched. In fact, cleaning products are among the top causes of poisoning in young children.

To help prevent cleaning product accidents:

• Store all cleaning supplies in cabinets with childproof locks.
• Consider switching to non-toxic, plant-based cleaners when possible.
• Never leave cleaning products unattended—even for a moment—while in use.

Stay Alert to Product Recalls

The CPSC regularly issues recalls for products that pose unexpected risks, including children’s clothing, toys, and furniture. Staying informed can make a big difference.

We recommend:

• Signing up for email alerts at cpsc.gov.
• Check any secondhand items (like cribs or baby walkers) for recalls before using them.

Creating a safer home doesn’t mean living in fear; it’s about small, thoughtful changes that give you peace of mind and help protect your child as they explore and grow. Every family is different, so do what works best for your space, your routine, and your little one’s needs.