# Parent and Caregiver Perceptions of Cannabidiol Products May Put Children at Risk > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/pediatric-cannabidiol-exposure-risks-safety-measures/ > **Published:** 2026-03-26T06:07:24-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T10:38:21-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore pediatric cannabidiol exposure risks and safety measures to prevent unintentional CBD ingestion in children. --- CED Clinical Relevance  #67Notable Clinical Interest  Emerging findings or policy developments worth monitoring closely. 🔬 Evidence Watch  |  CED Clinic CbdPediatric Safety[Patient Education](https://cedclinic.com/medical-cannabis-patient-education-basics/)Emergency MedicineCannabis Exposure Journal Frontiers in [public health](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-mold-contamination-risks-recall-safety/) Study Type Observational Study Population Human participants Why This Matters Emergency department visits for [pediatric cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-for-childrens-behavior/) exposure are rising alongside CBD market growth. Understanding caregiver perceptions and household storage practices is essential for preventing unintentional pediatric exposures that can result in serious clinical consequences. Clinical Summary This prospective observational study surveyed 826 adults at a southeastern academic medical center to assess CBD product prevalence and perceptions among households with and without children. The study examined storage practices, general CBD knowledge, and potential risk factors for pediatric exposure through QR code-linked surveys distributed in emergency departments and outpatient clinics from August 2024 to May 2025. The research aims to identify knowledge gaps and behavioral patterns that may contribute to unintentional pediatric CBD exposure requiring emergency care. Dr. Caplan’s Take “I see concerning knowledge gaps daily in my practice regarding CBD safety and proper storage. This data will help us understand why pediatric exposures continue to rise despite increased CBD availability and presumed familiarity.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Clinicians should proactively discuss CBD storage safety with all patients who use these products, particularly those with children in the home. [Patient education](https://cedclinic.com/medical-cannabis-patient-education-basics/) must emphasize that [CBD products](https://cedclinic.com/fda-warning-on-cbd-products/) require the same childproof storage precautions as any medication or supplement, regardless of perceived safety profiles. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [𝕏 Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20Parent%20and%20caregiver%20perceptions%20of%20cannabidiol%20products%20may%20put%20children%20at%20ris...%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41573801/)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41573801/)[🦥 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20Parent%20and%20caregiver%20perceptions%20of%20cannabidiol%20products%20may%20put%20children%20at%20ris...%20--%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41573801/)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan/)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://substack.com/@doctorapproved)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/category/cannabis-news/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41573801/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41573801/) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[Are CBD products safe to have in homes with children?](#Are_CBD_products_safe_to_have_in_homes_with_children) - [What are the main risks of CBD exposure in children?](#What_are_the_main_risks_of_CBD_exposure_in_children) - [How should parents store CBD products to prevent accidental ingestion?](#How_should_parents_store_CBD_products_to_prevent_accidental_ingestion) - [What symptoms should prompt emergency care after suspected CBD exposure in children?](#What_symptoms_should_prompt_emergency_care_after_suspected_CBD_exposure_in_children) - [How can healthcare providers better educate families about CBD safety?](#How_can_healthcare_providers_better_educate_families_about_CBD_safety) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ #### Are CBD products safe to have in homes with children? While [CBD products](https://cedclinic.com/fda-warning-on-cbd-products/) may seem harmless, this study reveals concerning safety gaps among caregivers that put children at risk for unintentional exposure. Emergency department visits related to cannabis exposure in young children have increased alongside the rapid growth of the CBD market, suggesting a temporal association between product availability and pediatric incidents. #### What are the main risks of CBD exposure in children? Children who accidentally consume CBD products may experience sedation, altered mental status, and other neurological symptoms requiring emergency medical care. The study’s correlation with increasing ED visits indicates that unintentional CBD exposure can lead to serious clinical presentations warranting immediate medical attention. #### How should parents store CBD products to prevent accidental ingestion? Based on this research highlighting parental knowledge gaps, CBD products should be stored in locked, child-proof containers and kept completely out of children’s reach. Parents and caregivers need better education about proper storage protocols, as current perceptions may inadequately protect children from unintentional exposure. #### What symptoms should prompt emergency care after suspected CBD exposure in children? Given the documented increase in pediatric ED visits associated with cannabis exposure, parents should seek immediate medical attention if their child exhibits unusual drowsiness, confusion, difficulty walking, or altered behavior after potential CBD ingestion. Early recognition and medical evaluation are crucial for appropriate management of [pediatric cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-for-childrens-behavior/) exposure. #### How can healthcare providers better educate families about CBD safety? This study demonstrates significant knowledge gaps among caregivers, indicating that healthcare providers should proactively discuss CBD [product safety](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-product-safety-advisories-tidal-wave-vape-alert/) during routine visits with families. Patient education should emphasize proper storage, recognition of exposure symptoms, and the importance of treating CBD products with the same precautions as medications or other potentially harmful household substances. {“@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “ScholarlyArticle”, “headline”: “Parent and caregiver perceptions of cannabidiol products may put children at risk for unintentional exposure.”, “url”: “https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41573801/”, “about”: “frontiers [public health](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-mold-contamination-risks-recall-safety/) observational study parent”, “isPartOf”: “Frontiers in public health”} [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [It may be legal for adults, but cannabis use a danger to young brains](https://cedclinic.com/it-may-be-legal-for-adults-but-cannabis-use-a-danger-to-young-brains/) Explore the risks cannabis poses to developing brains despite legal adult use. [Read More](https://cedclinic.com/it-may-be-legal-for-adults-but-cannabis-use-a-danger-to-young-brains/) ['Multiple' Las Vegas middle school students fall ill after eating suspected cannabis candy](https://cedclinic.com/pediatric-cannabis-exposure-incidents-las-vegas-schools/) A report on unintentional pediatric cannabis exposure incidents in schools. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/pediatric-cannabis-exposure-incidents-las-vegas-schools/) [Pediatrics column: Household product safety for children](https://cedclinic.com/pediatric-cannabis-exposure-risks-household-product-safety/) Guidance on keeping children safe from household product exposures, including CBD. [Discover Tips](https://cedclinic.com/pediatric-cannabis-exposure-risks-household-product-safety/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).