"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, 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 or pet. (Examples of household products that can contain alcohol: mouthwash, perfumes, colognes, and aftershave, vanilla extract, cough and cold medications.)   

Keep spiked holiday punch and eggnog out of the reach of children and pets.  Remove all partially empty cups as soon as possible.

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. (Be aware, dogs are known to chew through containers to get at antifreeze.) 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.   Windshield washer fluid is also extremely toxic. It can cause blindness soon after ingestion

5. Metal Jewelry: Not only do they pose a choking hazard, lead has been found in inexpensive children's jewelry. In addition, some costume jewelry designed for adults has also been found to contain lead

Tree ornaments, icicles and tinsel are also potential choking hazards, as well as possibly contain lead and tin so keep away from small children and pets.

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

Many of the beautiful holiday plants that we use to decorate our home with are potentially poisonous; they include Mistletoe, Holly, Christmas Rose, and Jerusalem Cherry. Although the poinsettia was blamed for a death in 1919, recent studies indicate that the plant is not as highly toxic as was thought at the time. It is unlikely that ingestion would be fatal, although it may cause some gastric irritation and burning in the mouth. It can also make your pets sick.

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. Chocolate Goodies and Desserts:  Pet owners beware! Chocolate is toxic, and sometimes even fatal, for animals. The toxic substance which chocolate contains is called theobromine, a compound that is very similar to caffeine. Baker's chocolate (pure, unsweetened chocolate or cocoa powder) is the most dangerous. Other food items that can be toxic to pets include caffeine products (coffee, tea), garlic, onions, grapes, raisins, avocado, macadamia nuts, and sugarless chewing gum and products containing xylitol.

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 to make sure that no recalled products, especially children's equipment and toys, are being used.

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. 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 and a dog. She teaches infant safety and CPR classes at a regional hospital. Debra has been featured on a number of media outlets, including NBC's Today Show, Weekend Today, ABC News, Dateline, MSNBC, Martha Stewart Living Radio, Newsweek, US magazine, and USA Weekend Magazine. She was named an "Everyday Hero" by Reader's Digest and a "Woman Making a Difference" by Family Circle Magazine. She also appeared weekly on the Discovery Health Channel's  TV series, Make Room for Baby. 

Her newest book, "The Safe Baby: A Do-it-Yourself Guide to Home Safety and Healthy Living" (Sentient Publications, 2009) provides lots of money savings tips and easy-to-implement solutions to provide a safe, healthy, and green living lifestyle for children and pets. It also shows you how to get back to the basics of childrearing.

Interviews may be arranged via http://thesafetyexpert.com