An average household has several poisonous substances that can be harmful or lethal to children and pets. These includes medicines, household chemicals and cleaning agents, by-products of certain substances, and certain plants.

Medicines are some of the common household poisons that can harm children and pets even if only a small amount is taken. Dogs and cats can easily bite and chew through “safe” medicine containers, and the shiny foil or colors of the pills and tablets are often attractive to many children. Medicines should be placed in a closed cabinet that cannot be accessed by pets and children. Adults can also take medicines by mistake, so it is also important to label containers properly.

Common household chemicals and cleaning agents such as bleach, ammonia, detergents, cleansers, alcohol, and pesticides are some of the most dangerous poisons found in a house. Some chemicals turn into even more toxic substances when mixed. The fumes of ammonia alone are already poisonous, and it should never be mixed with bleach. Combining these chemicals produces chlorine gas, a deadly chemical used for chemical warfare during World War I.

Perfumes, colognes, mouthwash, rubbing alcohol, aftershave, nail polish, nail polish remover, and shampoo are other examples of common household poisons that should be kept out of children's reach. These substances can cause vomiting, nausea, dizziness, headache, rashes, eye irritation upon eye contact, and even death when taken in great quantities.

To prevent poisoning, such substances and chemicals must be placed out of children's reach, labeled properly, and put on appropriate containers. Pets can bite and chew through tough containers and reach low cabinets, and children are naturally curious of the substances used by adults.