The Arsenic Hour: Protect Your Family from Accidental Poisonings

The “Arsenic Hour” or sometimes referred to as the “witching hour” occurs in our home between the hours of 5 and 7 pm. Veteran moms know exactly what I am talking about. It is the time when parents are attempting to make dinner, children need help with their homework, the phone rings incessantly and everyone is hungry; resultantly mayhem ensues. The term “Arsenic Hour” was coined by the folks at the poison center. It refers to the time during the evening hours of 4 and 10 pm when they receive the most childhood poisoning calls. This is the time when most children and parents are grumpy, tired and hungry at the end of a long day. This phenomenon affects working parents and at-home parents alike. There are many reasons why the arsenic hour happens; children deal with problems and issues at school and have to hold it together emotionally until they get home; Parents have a hectic day at work and their patience runs lower than normal. No matter what the reasons are for the mayhem, this time of day can be turned around to become an enjoyable time for all. First and foremost, remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here are some tips to prevent calls to the poison control center and trips to the Emergency Room. • Childproof your home: Use child safety latches on kitchen cabinets where cleaning chemicals are stored. • Make sure all chemicals, medications and dangerous objects are out of your children’s reach and/or locked up. • Keep children out of your kitchen work triangle (The area connecting your cooker, fridge and kitchen sink) to prevent burns. • Even though you are busy, keep an eye on your children. • Keep a bottle of syrup of ipecac on hand. Remember: Use ipecac only with directions from poison control or a pediatrician. • Keep the poison control center number handy and available. http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm#Find%20Your%20Poison%20Center Prompt attention to poisoning can prevent serious reactions. You can expect the Arsenic Hour to be upon you sooner or later. The advice to surviving it is to be prepared. Here are some tried and true ideas that can help. • Plan activities: Make sure your children have something to entertain them and keep them busy. The activities should involve busy hands and should be close enough to where you as a parent can watch and supervise. Set aside special “Arsenic Hour” puzzles, coloring books, projects or toys. • Cooking with kids: Involve your children in the meal preparing process as much as you can. Children can; tear lettuce for salad, choose topping for the pizza, set the table, and pour drinks. This teaches responsible behavior. Websites with cooking tips; http://www.kidsrcooking.com/ http://www.homeandfamilynetwork.com/food/kids.html • Snack: Make sure you children have a snack when they get home even if it is in the late afternoon. Consider this the first course of a healthy dinner and not a meal spoiler. Keep your pantry and refrigerator stocked with healthy snacks like fresh fruits and vegetables. • Help the children decompress: Sit with your children when they first arrive from school or when you first arrive home. Ask about their day at school and engage them in conversation. Hug them and let them know you care about their woes however small. This deters them from interrupting you as you prepare dinner. Spend at least 10 -15 minutes doing this. • Plan Ahead: Plan your weekly menu with the help of the family. Knowing what you are going to cook or eat, helps relieve some of the stress. Cook meals in double batches and freeze the second batch to make a cooking free night. • Post your menu within the children’s view; this deters the question “what is for dinner?” Use cut outs for children too young to read. • Utilize your slow cooker and spend less time in the kitchen in the evening. • Eat meals at the same time. Be as consistent. Children know when to expect dinner. Even little children can learn to recognize a clock at 6 pm (one hand up and one hand down) and watch for it. • Work it out. Weather permitting let the children play outside and burn off the excess energy. Join them if you can. Kick a few balls, sink a few basketballs, or build a snow house. The arsenic hour is more intense in those dark winter days. Turn on some music and let the children dance away the time. • A candle light dinner can work wonders in calming children. • Tag team. If possible have one parent watch and play with the children while the other cooks in peace. • Make use of your voice mail: Turn the ringer off the phone for fewer interruptions. Stay focused and resist the urge to lock yourself in your bathroom with a glass of wine. Remember that children grow up fast; enjoy them while they are still young. Instead of fighting the chaos, embrace it as part of your day and remember to cherish all the moments you have with your children.