A Terrifying Wake-Up Call

My sincere hope in writing this post is that our experience will serve as a resounding wake-up call to those out there that have small children.

I would say that Heidi and I fall on the moderately cautious side of the parenting scale. At our home in Michigan, we had "baby-proofed" most everything that we didn't want played with, sucked on, choked on, broken, etc. We had a gate for the stairs and locks for the cupboards. We kept doors closed and Anna within sight at all times. Then we moved to Salt Lake for the summer, where things weren't quite as baby-proof yet we felt Anna was perfectly safe because we'd always be watching her.

I wasn't home until minutes after this happened, so I'll try to recount the story the best I can. This afternoon, Heidi was in our kitchen area talking to her sister on the phone. Anna, now blessed with greater mobility (see the post below), moved happily along her way over to the cupboards under the sink and opened them up. Heidi's head was turned slightly but she could hear Anna rattling the garbage can (she loves to take things out of any can, box, suitcase, etc.). Heidi looked over to tell Anna not to play in the garbage when she noticed Anna sucking on the end of a spray bottle containing floor cleaner. As Heidi screamed and dropped the phone to stop her, Anna started vomiting until she had essentially emptied her stomach completely. Terrified, Heidi screamed for help and my step-mom came running downstairs along with her brother JR and his wife Sue. They quickly called the Poison Control Center, which was when I walked in the door (having just arrived home from work).

Long story short(er), we don't think she ingested enough liquid to do any damage (the spray cap was twisted to the "off" position, so we think she just sucked off some of the old residue ... but it was enough for her to throw up ... a lot). Poison Control gave us advice to let her drink and eat as she desired, and to keep monitoring her to see if her condition changes. It has been about 4 hours, and so far she's been fine. I'm hopeful the worst is over.

They say that so many accidents happen in just a split second, even when you think you have things completely under control. We've learned a valuable lesson to take a few simple minutes to check and re-check what potential dangers are within reach. This doesn't mean anyone has to become completely paranoid but hopefully our experience helps others be even a little more cautious. This story could have ended a lot worse, and it was completely avoidable. I'm thankful to our Father in Heaven that we have have a happy, and from what I can tell, healthy Anna. Thanks to Heidi for staying strong through the ordeal and for wonderful family that helped so much.

(insert from Heidi- you can read my comment, but here is my further advice...

If you don't have baby locks for your cupboards my mother in law reminded me you can use elastics, though you have to watch for fingers getting stuck. So, if you need to baby proof, use some elastics for now.
Also, Poison control's number is easy, and make sure to put it on the fridge (I was on the phone with my sister and luckily she had it right there) It is 1-800-222-1222. They were EXTREMELY helpful.
Also, Just an FYI. My mother and law thought that maybe we should use epicac (sp?) but I asked poison control and they said they don't recommend that any more.)