A collage depicting nature during the four different seasons.Every season brings its own routines, activities, and safety concerns. From spring cleaning supplies and lawn chemicals to pool treatments, pest control products, and even carbon monoxide risks, many everyday household items can become dangerous if they’re used or stored improperly.

Changes in routine during school breaks, travel, holidays, outdoor activities, and seasonal work can also raise the risk of accidental poisoning. Children are especially at risk because they explore by touching, tasting, and putting things in their mouths. Adults can also be affected by seasonal work hazards, medication mix-ups, chemical exposure, and unsafe storage of products at home.

At the Iowa Poison Control Center, we help families across Iowa stay safe in every season. Use the sections below to learn about common seasonal hazards and practical safety tips to help protect your home, your workplace, and the people you love.

Spring Hazards

Spring is a busy time for deep cleaning, yard work, gardening, and home improvement projects. During this season, many homes in Iowa use more cleaning supplies, fertilizers, weed killers, and other chemicals. Warmer weather can also bring exposure to poisonous plants and wild mushrooms.

Common spring hazards may include:

  • Cleaning supplies
  • Lawn chemicals
  • Fertilizers and weed killers
  • Pesticides and insect sprays
  • Poisonous plants
  • Wild mushrooms

Spring Safety Tips

A few simple steps can lower the risk of poisoning during spring:

  • Keep all cleaning and garden products locked up and out of reach.
  • Follow label directions closely for safe use and storage.
  • Practice pesticide safety by wearing gloves and washing hands after use.
  • Never mix bleach or other household cleaners.
  • Teach children not to touch or eat plants, berries, or mushrooms found outdoors.

Summer Hazards

Summer often means more time outside and more family activities. Grilling, swimming, yard care, and camping can all increase contact with products that may be harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or splashed in the eyes or on the skin.

Common summer hazards may include:

  • Hot tub and swimming pool chemicals
  • Insect repellent
  • Sunscreen and personal care products
  • Essential oils
  • Lighter fluid and grill products
  • Fireworks

Summer Safety Tips

Help keep your family safer by:

  • Storing pool chemicals in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
  • Using insect repellent only as directed and keep it out of children’s reach.
  • Keeping lighter fluid, matches, and grill products stored safely after use.
  • Following firework safety rules and never letting young children handle fireworks.

Fall Hazards

As the weather cools, families spend more time indoors and begin preparing for flu season and holiday activities. This can bring new potential poisons, including indoor pest treatments, seasonal decorations, and medicine use during allergy and cold season.

Common fall hazards may include:

  • Pest control products
  • Rodent poisons and insect baits
  • Essential oils and diffusers
  • Allergy medicines
  • Halloween candy and glow products
  • Small batteries, including button batteries

Fall Season Safety Tips

These autumn season safety tips can help reduce risk at home:

  • Store pest control products in their original containers and away from food.
  • Keep button batteries and small objects out of sight and reach.
  • Watch children closely around Halloween candy, glow items, and decorations.
  • Follow cold and flu season safety tips: Read medicine labels carefully before giving children allergy or cold medicine, and store medication out of children’s reach.

Winter Hazards

Winter brings heating equipment, holiday gatherings, vehicle products, and a higher use of cough and cold medicine. It is also the time of year when carbon monoxide exposure becomes a major concern. Winter weather and time spent in enclosed indoor spaces can increase the risk of carbon monoxide exposure for families.

Common winter hazards may include:

  • Cough and cold medicines
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid
  • Sidewalk salt and ice melt
  • Alcohol at holiday gatherings
  • Button batteries in gifts or decorations

Winter Safety Tips

These winter hazards and seasonal concerns can be managed with a few smart steps:

  • Install and regularly test a carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home.
  • Never use generators, grills, or fuel-burning devices indoors.
  • Keep car care products and antifreeze locked away from children and pets.
  • Follow holiday season safety tips by watching children closely during gatherings and keeping alcohol, medications, and batteries out of reach.

Safety Tips for Every Season

No matter the time of year, simple habits can help prevent accidental poisoning and improve family safety.

Helpful safety tips for every season include:

  • Keep medicines and household chemicals locked up and out of reach.
  • Store products in their original containers.
  • Read and follow label directions every time.
  • Never call medicine candy.
  • Watch children closely in new places, during travel, and at family gatherings.
  • Be aware of seasonal work hazards at home, outdoors, and on the job.
  • Save the Poison Help number in your phone: 1-800-222-1222.

Get Expert Guidance

Protect your family all year long with trusted poison prevention guidance from the Iowa Poison Control Center. Our team provides free, confidential, expert treatment advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for people across all Iowa communities.

If you think someone has been exposed to a poison, do not wait for symptoms. Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away.