Always read age information and requirements for adult supervision to assure that a toy is appropriate to the child's development. Toys that offer children an opportunity to both play and learn are ideal. Persaud says that books are always a good choice for children of any age. Installing a carbon-monoxide detector in your home could be a lifesaver, says Dr. Christopher Keyes, associate professor of emergency medicine and internal medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. The best way to prevent accidental carbon-monoxide poisoning in your home is to install a carbon monoxide monitor, he says.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas produced during combustion.
The most common causes of home carbon- monoxide poisoning are malfunctioning indoor natural gas heaters and water heaters. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include fatigue, headache and nausea. But since the symptoms are so vague, people often think they have the flu, Keyes says. Pregnant women need to be especially cautious about carbon-monoxide poisoning because the fetus has a lower threshold for carbon monoxide, Keyes says. Carbon-monoxide poisoning can cause permanent brain damage or even be fatal.