For parents who responsibly partake in legal recreational substances like cannabis or mushrooms (depending where you live), maintaining safety in the home is obviously a top priority. As these substances become more common in wellness and self-care routines, it’s crucial to ensure that they are kept out of reach from curious little hands. Creating a safe environment isn’t just about hiding products—it’s about fostering mindful habits that prioritize your family’s well-being while allowing you to enjoy your personal choices.
Here’s how to keep your kids safe and your consumption discreet and secure, without sacrificing your self-care routine.
1. Educate Yourself on the Risks
The first step in keeping kids safe is understanding the risks that cannabis and psilocybin mushrooms pose to children. Both substances can be dangerous if ingested by a child, with effects ranging from mild confusion and upset stomachs to more severe symptoms like hallucinations, lethargy, or difficulty breathing.
Knowing the potential consequences of accidental ingestion can help you take the necessary precautions to avoid it. No matter how normalized these substances may be in your home, always treat them with the same level of care and caution as you would any medication or cleaning chemical.
[Cannabis and psilocybin are categorically safer than most medicines and definitely safer than cleaning chemicals.
I know people keep trying to lump them in with poisons – but that’s just not the case. Kids get injured sometimes with cannabis due to balance issues – but none have died, even if they are visiting the ER because of freaked out parents. And I haven’t really read about mushroom incidents even on the poison control page – which could because its unreported, but could also be because kids don’t have access.]
2. Prioritize Safe Storage
The most critical step in keeping kids safe is proper storage. You can’t rely on a drawer or high shelf to keep substances hidden. Children are naturally curious, and even toddlers can figure out how to climb or reach for items they shouldn’t have.
Invest in childproof storage solutions, like lockboxes or safes. This ensures that your cannabis, edibles, mushrooms, or any related paraphernalia are securely stored and completely inaccessible to your kids.
PSA: Our Snugbox Lockboxes are a great option for discreet and secure storage—combining practicality with peace of mind.
[I think this might be a good section to talk about the two different kinds of “safe storage”. There is safe storage of edibles from toddlers and such. And there is safe storage from teenagers.
Storage from toddlers is focused on edibles – and even places like the children’s hospitals are focused on that because kids will eat edibles and get quite sick, but even eating an eighth of flower won’t have the same effect because its not decarboxylated.
And the second half there is about teenagers – in the same way you keep your prescriptions away from them, you keep these away. Meaning locked up or on your person or whatever.
Also I’ve never heard of anyone keeping paraphernalia also locked up – and most lockboxes I have seen would not fit a puffco or a bong. :)]
3. Keep Edibles Separate from Regular Food
One of the riskiest forms of cannabis consumption around children is edibles. These products often look like everyday treats—gummies, chocolates, cookies—that can easily catch a child’s attention. To prevent any confusion, make sure that all edibles are stored separately from regular snacks and food items.
Consider labeling any edible products clearly with warnings, or use a dedicated space within your lockbox for them. It’s essential to treat edibles with the same care you would give prescription medications or cleaning chemicals that look like consumable products.
Pro-Tip: Consider a mini fridge in a room separate from the common family area. We love these mini-fridges from Frigidaire and use a locking set like these to keep it secure.
[I’m not aware of any states where the warning labels are not required on all commercial products. So those should be covered – although they are NOT going to help a toddler, and that should be noted probably.
It might be nice to point to another site (I see your protips!) that tells them where to get readily available labeling options.
Cannabis Warning labels are available on Amazon for instance. :)]
4. Be Mindful of Your Consumption Habits
As parents, your actions set the tone for safety at home. Whether you’re using cannabis to relax in the evening or mushrooms for a mindful experience, being mindful of when and where you consume is key.
Timing: Consider consuming after your kids have gone to bed or during a time when you won’t be distracted from supervising them.
Environment: Create a designated area, away from common family spaces, where you consume substances. This prevents accidental exposure and sets a boundary between your personal practice and family life.
[I think this is missing a huge opportunity for normalization and destigmatization here. It also seems to be completely missing that almost 30 million people, many of them parents are registered medical patients, who are consuming medicine on a regular basis and cannot and should not wait for kids to be asleep.
Also the statement about “distracted from supervising them” comes across to me as really prohibitionist. I don’t think that’s your intention – so I wanted to make you aware. Try considering – would you tell a mom not to stop and drink a cup of coffee? Would you tell a mom not to take a Tylenol? If you didn’t answer yes to both of those questions – why are we saying that somehow consuming a cannabis beverage or a micro-dose mushroom gummy would be more distracting than consuming a coffee or Tylenol?
This is an opportunity to remind people of mindfulness, right? Perhaps a place to talk about what level of consumption they are looking for. Do they need to medicate? Are they dealing with pain? Is this part of their normal routine?
There is a pretty big difference between having a glass of wine and drinking a bottle or more. Same thing applies here, right?]
5. Open and Age-Appropriate Conversations
Talking to kids about substances can feel tricky, but it’s essential to build awareness as they grow older. Start with age-appropriate conversations that focus on safety rather than fear. For younger children, this might mean explaining that certain items are only for adults and could make them feel unwell.
As your kids grow, continue the conversation with more context about why certain substances are for adults only and how they fit into responsible, mindful practices. Being transparent and open helps demystify substances and may prevent unnecessary curiosity.
[Might be a good place to bring up some excellent kids books that help having these conversations.]
6. Plan for Emergencies
Even with the best precautions, accidents can happen. Being prepared can make all the difference. Here’s what to do if you suspect your child has accidentally consumed cannabis or mushrooms:
Stay Calm: First, try to stay calm. Panic can escalate the situation.
Contact Poison Control: Call your local poison control center for guidance on what to do next. They’ll provide specific instructions based on the situation and your child’s symptoms. If you don’t know your local number, the national line is 1-800-222-1222.
Seek Medical Help: If symptoms seem severe (e.g., difficulty breathing, unconsciousness, severe disorientation), head to the nearest emergency room.
Keeping emergency contact numbers handy, and knowing what steps to take, ensures you’re prepared for any situation.
7. Lead by Example
Children learn by watching, so how you manage your consumption can greatly impact their understanding of safety. By practicing responsible, mindful habits, you’re teaching your children valuable lessons about boundaries, respect, and the importance of safety.
Show them through your actions that while these substances may be part of your wellness routine, you prioritize their well-being by keeping them secure, and by having open, honest discussions about them.
Balancing personal consumption with parenting doesn’t have to be a challenge when safety is the priority. By using thoughtful storage solutions like our Snugbox Lockboxes, separating edibles from regular food, and being mindful of your consumption habits, you can create a safe, harmonious environment for your entire family. Open conversations and planning for potential accidents only enhance the safety net around your home, allowing you to enjoy your personal practices without worry.
Your well-being and your family’s safety go hand-in-hand—take the steps to protect both.
Looking for a secure storage solution?
Explore our Lockboxes by Snugbox in The Gift Shop today and keep your home safe, stylish, and substance-free for little hands.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment or therapy, especially when using plant medicines like cannabis or psilocybin. Laws regarding the use of these substances vary by location—ensure you are familiar with the legal status where you live.