Thousands of children
are accidentally poisoned each year. Any non-food item is a
potential poison. Normal children will explore the world by putting
anything and everything into the mouth, even if it doesn’t taste
good. It is the responsibility of every adult to make sure that
children are not exposed to potentially toxic substances.
FOR ADVICE CONCERNING ACCIDENTAL POISONING, CALL
IMMEDIATELY:
POISON INFORMATION CENTER
STATEWIDE……..1-800-292-6678
NATIONWIDE…………..1-800-222-1222
The following
guidelines against poisoning will help prevent the majority of
accidental poisonings in the home:
1. Request “safety-lock” tops on all prescription drugs.
Realize that some children can open even “child-proof” caps.
2. Keep
household cleaners, bug sprays, medicines, and garage products out
of reach and out of sight from your child. Lock these products up
whenever possible.
3. Never store
food and household cleaners together.
4. Always store
medicines in their original containers and throw out medicines no
longer in use. Avoid putting dangerous chemical into soft drink
bottles, cans, or cups.
5. Do not take
medicines in front of your child because children love to imitate
“Mommy” and “Daddy.”
6. Never call
medicine candy.
7. Read the
label before taking medicine. Never take medicine that is not
labeled for you or is not labeled at all. Never take medicine in
the dark.
8. If you are
interrupted while using a medicine or a household product, take it
with you. It only takes a few seconds for your child to get into
it.
9. Anticipate
what your child will do. For example, if you have a crawling
infant, keep household products stored above the floor level and not
beneath the kitchen sink.
10. Be alert
for repeat poisoning. A child who has swallowed a poison is more
likely to attempt it again within a year.
11. Keep the
phone numbers of you doctor, the poison center, hospital, and police
near the telephone. The statewide tool-free number of the
Children’s Hospital Poison Information Center is 1-800-292-6678.
12. If your
child swallows a poison, contact the poison center immediately.
They will instruct you to call us if necessary.
Poison Proofing Your Home |
