Protect Your Kids From Inhalant Abuse

1. Read Labels On Everything

One of the best ways of keeping yourself informed about the safety of substances entering your home is to get into the habit of reading labels. Any poisonous, flammable, or volatile substance will be clearly marked with a cautionary message. These messages should be taken seriously, and you should consider these substances a risk for inhalants abuse.

2. Educate and Teach Your Children of the Dangers of Inhalants Abuse

Despite their accessibility, inhalants abuse puts users at more risk of sudden death than most other groups of drugs. Being aware, and teaching your kids to be aware of this risk is crucial. Unlike most other drugs, inhalants are often in kids' own environments at home and school, so they need to know the dangers. In a matter-of-fact way, explain that inhalants abuse, even once or twice, can kill instantly.

3. Explain the Dangers of Intoxication From Inhalants

Symptoms of inhalants intoxication can include mild stimulation, loss of inhibition, distorted perceptions, nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, and loss of coordination. As with other forms of intoxication, this puts them at risk of many harms, including accidents, injuries, and abuse. As well as protecting your kids from inhalants abuse, explaining why intoxication makes them vulnerable while they are young will pave the way for giving them a better understanding of the dangers of alcohol and other drugs in later discussions.

4. Keep Household Inhalants Out of Reach

Even if you feel your kid could access inhalants anyway, get into the habit of locking away any potentially poisonous or intoxicating substances, or storing them out of reach. This sends a clear message that these substances are in a special category, unlike other substances, such as food. You are also showing that you are taking responsibility for your kids' safety, and for preventing inhalants abuse, and are role-modeling responsible behavior to your kid.

5. Protect Yourself and Others While Using Potential Inhalants

Simple safety precautions should always be exercised. Even if you have used spray paint without a face mask in the past, as a parent, it is important that you show your kid the proper way to do things. Use a mask, gloves, and other protective clothing, ensure adequate ventilation, do not smoke or allow any exposed flames to the area you are using the substance. Ensure bottles and caps are carefully sealed immediately.  Safety precautions show that inhalants are risky substances, which may be needed to correct the messages about inhalants abuse your kids may have learned from inhalant abusing peers.

6. Never Re-label or Put a Substance Into an Unlabelled Container

It is extremely dangerous to put a volatile substance into an unlabeled container. If you need to decant a substance such as paint or spirits into another container, you should immediately label it with what the substance is, and any cautions or risks. Never use a drinking cup or glass to hold a volatile substance, even temporarily.  As well as reducing the risk of inhalants abuse, you are reducing the risk of accidental poisoning. 

7. Supervise Your Child's Use of Potential Inhalants

If you decide it is appropriate to allow your child to use a substance that is a potential inhalant, make sure they are closely supervised by an adult. For example, if your daughter wants to use nail polish, make sure you explain that the fumes should not be breathed in, she should make sure the room she is in is well-ventilated, and she should ensure no fire hazards are around as it is also highly flammable. If your son wants to use glue for a craft project, take the same precautions. Ideally, you should be in the room while any of these substances are being used.

8. Sources