Detergents, bleach, fabric softeners, and pet
products.
Outdoors
Fertilizers, pesticides, plants, and berries.
Tell children not to eat leaves or berries from indoor or outdoor
plants. Clear children and toys from yard before you use pesticides
or fertilizer. Let the grass dry before the children come back.
Consider making some areas "off limits" to your children.
Where should I store poisonous
substances?
Keep all harmful substances out of children's reach and
sight.
Put products away right after you use them. Never leave them
out, even to answer a phone or the door.
If products are stored in a low place or under the sink, lock
the cabinet door. Keep the key out of a child's reach.
Remember-- children can often open safety locks. Keep products
stored and locked in a high place if possible.
Children can climb. Keep products higher than a child can
reach from any place she might climb.
If you have medicine in your purse, keep your purse out of
your child's reach.
Do not keep medicine on low, bedside tables.
Do not store harmful products near food. Children may mistake
them for food.
How do I get rid of poisonous substances?
Clean out medicine cabinets every few months. Throw out old
medicine and products you don't use.
Pour old medication or chemicals down a toilet or drain. Rinse
out the sink or flush the toilet. Rinse out the container before
you throw it in the trash. Seal the trash bag and put a lid on the
trash can.
Are child-resistant containers safe?
Use child-resistant packages. Put the lids back on tight.
Child-resistant containers are safe but not guaranteed.
Curious, playful children can find ways to open almost
anything.
Never take products out of a child-resistant bottle to store
them in a different container.
Lock cabinets, even if products are in child-resistant
containers.
What should I know about medicine?
Never call medicine "candy." Call medicine by its name, even
if your child doesn't want to take it.
Always ask your pharmacist for child-resistant bottles. Keep
labels on medication.
Families who don't have children living in their home,
especially grandparents, should use child-resistant containers,
too. Keep bottles out of children's reach at all times, even on
days when children aren't expected to visit.
Tell houseguests how to keep their medicine out of your
child's reach.
Check the dosage every time you use medication.
Do not take medicine in front of children. They like to
imitate adults.
What can I do to prevent an emergency?
When given a choice, buy products that aren't toxic. If
needed, buy small amounts.
Do not tear the labels off any product. All containers should
be labeled.
Never put chemicals (such as paint, kerosene, or household
cleaners) in drinking glasses or soft-drink bottles. Children may
drink them.
Read labels before using cleaning products. Do not mix unless
directed.
Don't let children help you clean with harmful substances.
This sends the message that it is okay for them to use these
products. It may also be harmful to their health.
What do I do if I think my child has been
poisoned? If you think your child has been poisoned, call the Poison
Control Center, your doctor, or 911 immediately.
National Poison Center 1-800-222-1222.
Be prepared to give the product information from the label and
information about your child. If you go to the doctor's office or
hospital, bring the product with you.
Keep emergency phone numbers by the phone. Point them out to
people who watch your child while you are gone.
If your child vomits, is drowsy, has a substance spilled on
her clothes or around her mouth, burns on her skin, or a strange
smell on her breath, she may have been poisoned.
Quick Answers
Poisoning can happen with almost any substance.
Many products around your house could be poisonous, such as:
medicine, cleaners, sprays, paint, detergents, and
pesticides.
Keep all harmful substances out of your child's reach and
sight.
Pour old medication or chemicals down a toilet or drain.
Never take products out of a child-resistant bottle to store
them in a different container.
Do not tear labels off of medication or cleaners.
Never put chemicals in drinking glasses or soft-drink
bottles.
If you think your child has been poisoned, call the Poison
Control Center, your doctor, or 911 immediately.
References
The Children's Hospital Boston. Poison Prevention Suggestions.
Iowa Health Book: Emergency Medicine. 1992 February (cited 2001
September 25). Available from: URL:
http://www.vh.org/Patients/IHB/Emergency/Poison/PoisonPreventSuggest.html
Consumer Product Safety Commission. Locked Up Poisons Prevent
Tragedy. Iowa Health Book: Emergency Medicine. 1993 (cited 2001
September 25). Available from: URL:
http://www.vh.org/Patients/IHB/Emergency/Poison/LockedUpPosions/LockedUpPosions.html
Consumer Product Safety Commission. National Poison Prevention
Week March 18-24, 2001. (cited 2001 September 25). Available from:
URL: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/386.html
Consumer Product Safety Commission. Poison Lookout Checklist.
(cited 2001 September 25). Available from: URL:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/383.html
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