Poison Prevention
When you're clearing out medicine cabinets and make-up drawers and using household cleaners to kill clutter and grime, remember that many commonly used products can be fatal to children if left within their reach.
Every year, more than 1.1 million unintentional poisonings among children ages 5 and under are reported to U.S. poison control centers. In 2001, the Louisiana Drug and Poison Information Center (LDPIC) in Monroe responded to 34,000 poison exposure calls statewide.
"Many poisonings happen when adults are distracted for just a few moments by the telephone, doorbell, or other diversion," explained Carolyn Lee, education director for LDPIC. "Children 5 and under are particularly vulnerable to poisoning due to their curiosity and desire to put everything into their mouths."
Poison Prevention tips:
- Keep poisonous products out of reach of children. Storing potentially harmful products out of sight and reach -- in cabinets with safety locks -- is one of the best ways to prevent poisonings.
- Know which household products are poisonous. A household item as common as mouthwash can be poisonous if a child swallows a large amount, because of its alcohol content.
- Stay alert while using poisonous household products. Adults should know where children are when using products like bathroom cleaner or bleach. Never leave a child in a room with a poisonous product.
- Never refer to medicine or vitamins as candy. Doing so could cause a child to think it medicines are harmless or pleasant to eat. Since children tend to mimic adults, avoid taking medications in front of them. Vitamins, particularly those containing iron, can also be poisonous to children.
- Keep products in original containers. Never put potentially poisonous products in something other than their original container where they could be mistaken for a harmless substance.
- Buy items with child-resistant packaging. Child-resistant caps do not guarantee that children cannot open a container, but they do deter children and increase the time needed to stop them before they swallow a poison.
- Keep poisonous plants out of reach. Teach children never to put leaves, stems, bark, seeds, nuts, or berries from any plant into their mouths. Household plants that are often involved with poisonings are dumbcane or dieffenbachia, philodendron, and pothos or devil's ivy.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Place them in every sleeping area on the ceiling at least 15 feet from fuel-burning appliances. Ensure that space heaters, furnaces, fireplaces, and wood-burning stoves are vented properly and inspected annually. If your family experiences symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning (often similar to flu symptoms) go outside and call for medical help immediately.
- If your home was built before 1978, have it tested for lead-based paint. Cover lead paint with a sealant, or hire a professional abatement company to remove the paint. Frequently wash children's hands and faces, as well as toys and pacifiers, to reduce the risk of ingesting lead-contaminated dust.