Poison Safety

Each year over 1 million children are poisoned by household products, plants, and drugs.  Most of them are preschoolers and occur before lunch and supper when children are hungry or thirsty.  Most poisoning occur when products are being used, not while they are stored.  Children do not have fully-developed taste buds like adults, so just because something doesn't taste good, doesn't keep children away.  If there is a toddler in the house, keep in mind that they have the ability to climb. 

Checklist of Common Household Poisons

Below are only some of the poisons that can be found in the home.  Inspect your own home, read labels, and consult with product manufacturers, your doctor, or the Poison Control Center if you have any questions or concerns.

Kitchen

• Cleaning solutions & waxes                               

• Powder and liquid detergent                              

• Cleanser & scouring powder                             

• Drain cleaner/lye                                                

• Carpet & upholstery cleaner                              

• Ammonia   

  Bedroom or Purse  

• Sleeping drugs/medicine

•  Jewelry cleaner

•  Cosmetics

•   Perfume

Laundry Room

• Oven cleaner                                                                        
• Cooking oils, non-stick sprays                                             
• Food supplements containing iron                                        
• Bluing, dye
• Bleach
• Soap & detergent
• Disinfectant   
• Spot remover                                                                      

Closets, Attic, & Storage Places                    

• Rat Poison                                                                                          
• Moth balls & spray  

 Outdoors

•  Plants
•  Flowers
•  BBQ grills

General

• Alcoholic beverages
• Batteries                                                                                               
• Lamp or candle oils                                                                             
•  Potpourri
• Tobacco products
• Glue, adhesives 
• Flaking paint  
• Repainted toys 
• Broken plaster 
• Carbon Monoxide   

Mushrooms

•  Avoid mushrooms with:
•  Warts
• Scales on the cap
• White gills
• Light-colored inner cap
• A ring on the lower part of the stem
•  A base like a bulb

Bathroom                                                           

• Acetaminophen, aspirin                                             
• All drugs and pills, medicine (cough syrup)              
• Iron pills, vitamins with iron                                      
• Shampoo, wave lotion and spray                             
• Lotions and creams                                                  
• Nail polish and remover                                             
• Deodorant                                                                  
• Toilet bowl cleaner                                                     
• Pine oil and bath oil                                                  
• Soap                                                                         
• Rubbing alcohol
• Hairspray
• Cosmetics
• Room deodorizer, air fresheners
• Camphor
• Personal care products

Garage, Basement

• Acids
• Kerosene
• Windshield washer solvent
• Bug killer/Weed killer
• Gasoline/Motor oil
• Charcoal lighter fluid
• Turpentine, paint, paint remover/thinner
• Antifreeze (smells sweat and attracts pets)
• Car cleaning supplies
• Caulking

Tips For Parents

• Teach children to ask for permission before eating anything like berries or mushrooms found outside.
• Never refer to medicine as candy.
• Never take medicine in front of children and never drink medicine from the bottle.  Children tend to imitate adults.
• Let children watch you read the instructions and measure the proper dosage.
• Never give medicine in the dark.
• Post the Poison Control Centers number by every telephone.
• keep bottle of Ipecac in the medicine cabinet and in the glove compartment of your vehicle.
• Share this information with older siblings, relatives, and babysitters.

Keep Your Household Safe

• Use water-based latex paint instead of hazardous oil-based paint.
• Keep rodent or insect traps out of reach.
• Never mix household products, it could cause a chemical reaction.
• Be familiar with plants, trees, and shrubs around your house.
• Wipe up all spills and puddles in the garage, carport, basement, or utility areas.
• Use powders or pellet pesticides and herbicides instead of sprays and only use them when children and pets are not nearby.
• Avoid having unnecessary toxic substances in the house.
• Store products in their original containers and keep all medicines and chemicals locked up in a cabinet out of reach of children.
• Take either the product or the child with you if you have to leave the room even for a moment.
• Pour old medications down the drain or toilet, rinse the container, and dispose of it.  Never throw medication or products in the trash.
• Keep household items and food stored separately to avoid confusion.
• Recycle hazardous waste such as batteries and motor oil instead of throwing it away.

Signs of Use                        

• Unusual behavior                             
• Product container nearby                 
• Smell chemical odors                                                                                                 
• See flames or smoke                         
• Medicine cabinet is open                 
• Damaged plants                                
• Unconscious                                       
• Not breathing                                     
• Pale/bluish skin                                                                         

Symptoms

• Sudden chest or abdominal pain/cramps
• Painful crying
• Chills or shaking
• Unusual thirst
• Cold & clammy skin
• Disorientation                                    
• Slurred speech
• Difficulty breathing
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Lack of coordination
• Burns around mouth
• Convulsions, coma
• Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea

Emergency Action

If you suspect that someone has consumed or been in contact with a poisonous substance contact the Poison Control Center right away.  The phone number is usually listed in the front of the telephone book, if not call your local emergency room or doctor immediately.

DO NOT WAIT FOR SYMPTOMS TO DEVELOP.

CALL IMMEDIATELY.

*Information provided by National Fire Safety Council, Inc.