"If you check throughout your home, you will be shocked to find an array of chemical and biological agents," warns Debra Holtzman, an internationally acclaimed safety and health expert and best-selling author of "The Safe Baby: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Home Safety and Healthy Living" (Sentient Publications, July 2009). "And in the hands of a small child, dog or cat, these products are potentially deadly"

"Fortunately, accidental poisoning is a preventable injury. But it's up to parents, grandparents and caregivers to be educated about what types of substances can be harmful to children and pets," says Holtzman.

Here are some potentially poisonous products in the home, which some people may overlook:

1. Table salt: A little as half a teaspoon to an infant or a tablespoon to a toddler can cause damage to his central nervous system.

2. Alcohol: It can lead to seizures, coma and even death in a young child. (Examples of household products that can contain alcohol: mouthwash, perfumes, colognes, and aftershave, vanilla extract, cough and cold medications.)

3. Baby oil: When you swallow baby oil and other hydrocarbons, they can easily go down the wrong way and get into your lungs. Only a small amount can cause pneumonia within a few hours.

4. Antifreeze: Children or pets could drink large amounts of this sweet-tasting liquid if it is left out in an open container or if spilled on your driveway. The main ingredient in many major antifreeze brands is ethylene glycol, which is extremely toxic. Use antifreeze with propylene glycol, which is considerably less toxic, or use antifreeze that has a bittering agent (denatonium benzoate) added to make it taste unpleasant.

5. Windshield washer fluid is extremely toxic. It can cause blindness soon after ingestion

6. Dieffenbachia and Philodendron: These common houseplants contain oxalates, small crystals that get released into the mouth when the plant is chewed, causing extreme pain and inflammation.

Important Note to cat owners: All parts of the Easter lily plant are considered toxic to cats and consuming even small amounts can cause severe poisoning.

7. Tobacco Products: Ingestion can result in vomiting, sweating and seizures.

8. Disc Batteries: They may, if swallowed, stick in the throat or stomach, causing serious burns as the chemical leaks out.

9. Toxic Art Supplies: Some art supplies can contain hazardous or toxic substances, such as lead, cadmium, nickel and organic solvents. When buying art supplies for your children, including crayons and paints, always look for this label: ASTM D-4236. It means a toxicologist has reviewed the product. If it is necessary, cautionary information will be included with this label. Do not allow children under age 12 to use art materials containing cautionary information.

10. Recalled products: These are products that have been found to be unsafe, hazardous or defective. Keep up-to-date by visiting www.Recalls.gov. Check your entire home, as well as your children's day care or school, to make sure that no recalled products are being used.

Lastly, pet owners beware! Sugarless chewing gum and products containing xylitol are poisonous to pets. Also, other food items that can be toxic to pets include chocolate and caffeine products (coffee, tea), onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, avocado, and macadamia nuts.

Whenever you suspect a poisoning, immediately call the National Poison Hotline (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week), 1-800 222-1222, which automatically connects you to your local poison center. Make sure to prominently post this number on every phone in the house. (You can download a free copy of Debra Holtzman's emergency preparation sheet, taken from her book, "The Safe Baby" Visit her Web site: www.thesafetyexpert.com and click on "Safety Tips".

ALWAYS CALL THE POISON CENTER FIRST, BEFORE TREATING A POISONING

Debra Holtzman has a master's degree in occupational health and safety, is an attorney and is the mother of two children. She has appeared on major TV news and radio shows around the world and was chosen a Reader's Digest Everyday Hero. She teaches infant safety and CPR classes at a regional hospital. Her new book, "The Safe Baby: A Do-it-Yourself Guide to Home Safety and Healthy Living" provides lots of money savings tips and easy-to-implement solutions to provide a safe, healthy, and green living lifestyle for children and pets.