Parents go to great lengths to protect their children. They block off staircases with gates and put covers on electrical outlets. They check safety ratings on car seats and strollers. They check the age limits and warning labels on toys. They make sure cribs are clear of pillows, loose blankets, and other unsafe items to protect babies from suffocation.
But sometimes, no matter how diligent they are, parents can forget about the toxic substances that are hiding in plain sight, in things like vitamins and sodas. Things that are so much a part of their everyday lives, parents can't imagine them causing harm.
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and the Alabama Poison Information Center (APIC) would like to share some information about common items that could potentially be harmful to children. These items are designed to add some pep to your step or to improve your health; however, if taken in the wrong amounts by the wrong person, they can lead to serious health complications.
Essential oils are organic chemical compounds extracted from flowers, leaves, or bark. These substances are the chemical, physical, and aromatic embodiment of the plant from which they are taken. Essential oils, when used properly, are said to reduce stress, improve your mood, and help you relax.
Unfortunately, if ingested, these oils can cause a variety of health issues, especially in infants and young children who may be drawn to them because of their pleasing odor. Depending on the amount ingested, and the age of the person ingesting them, the effects can range from nausea and vomiting to drowsiness, seizures, and coma.
In its February 2025 Tox Update newsletter, APIC listed some common essential oils that can be particularly dangerous, including:
To date in 2025, APIC reports 52 exposures to essential oils. They recorded a total of 273 exposures to essential oils in 2024.
If you have essential oils, or products such as those listed above, in your home, keep them in locked cabinets and out of reach. If your child ingests any of these products, do not induce vomiting, as this could increase their risk of aspiration (drawing the substance into their lungs) and other complications. Instead, you should immediately call the Alabama Poison Information Center at Children's of Alabama at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance and assistance.
Caffeine is a common stimulant taken from plants, usually found in coffee, sodas, and energy drinks. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says adults can safely consume up to 400mg of caffeine per day, there are no specific guidelines for how much caffeine is safe for children. In January 2025, the Healthy Eating Research organization (a panel of experts from Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Heart Association) recommended that there is no safe amount of caffeine for children 18 and younger.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the impacts of caffeine on children can vary based on the child's size and the amount of caffeine ingested. Too much caffeine can cause anxiety, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and acid reflux. In extremely high doses, caffeine can be toxic. Caffeine can also interact with medications or exacerbate existing medical conditions.
In 2024, APIC received 70 calls reporting exposures to energy drinks alone. Because the amount of caffeine contained in coffee, sodas, and energy drinks varies based on the brand, it is important for parents and caregivers to check the nutrition labels of the drinks their children consume. Special attention should be paid to the amount of servings contained in cans and bottles.
According to APIC, vitamins rank in the top 10 substance categories for pediatric exposures in Alabama. To date in 2025, APIC reports 203 exposures related to vitamins. APIC reported a total of 938 exposures in 2024.
Most exposures to vitamins are mild, even if taken in large amounts. An exception is vitamins containing iron, which can be dangerous. According to a report in the National Library of Medicine, children exposed to excess iron (commonly through vitamins and supplements) can experience complications ranging from diarrhea to decreased growth and impaired cognitive and motor development.
Parents and caregivers are advised to store vitamins in secure locations out of the reach of children. They are also advised to never refer to vitamins as "candy" in front of children, even when referencing vitamins in gummy form. Parents and caregivers should also be mindful of vitamin packaging that makes the product look like a sweet treat that appeals to children.
If an exposure to any of these products occurs, you should immediately call the Alabama Poison Information Center at Children's of Alabama at 1-800-222-1222 for help.