Poison Prevention
Young children are at special risk for poisoning. They are curious. They don’t know what’s safe to eat or drink. Even small amounts of many drugs and poisons can harm them.
Over 50% of poisoning exposures reported to Virginia Poison Control Centers occurred among children 5 and younger.
The most common items involved in childhood poisonings are
cosmetics and personal care products, cleaning agents, pain killers,
vitamin and mineral supplements, cough and cold
preparations, pesticides, and antihistamines.
The most dangerous poisons for children include medicines, pesticides, windshield washer solution, antifreeze, drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, alcoholic beverages, lamp oil, furniture polish, gasoline, kerosene and paint thinner.
Prevention Tips
- Supervise young children at all times.
- Put the Poison Center phone number on or near every phone. Call 1-800-222-1222 for phone stickers.
- Lock or store medicines and dangerous household products out of the reach of children.
- Keep handbags out of reach of children.
- Use child-resistant closures on medicines and dangerous household products.
- Keep products in their original containers.
- Store food and household products in separate areas. It’s easy to make a mistake.
- Take medicine where children can’t watch. They learn by imitating adults.
- Teach children to always ask before eating or drinking anything.
- Use medication and household products according to the instructions on their labels.
- Install carbon monoxide alarms.
First Aid for Poisoning
- Splashed in the eyes? Rinse with water for 15 minutes.
- Spilled on the skin? Rinse with water for 15 minutes.
- Breathed in a poison? Get to fresh air.
- Swallowed a household product? Drink several swallows of water or milk.
- THEN, call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
- Unsure? Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
True Story
During a visit to a grandparent’s home, a 2 year old girl was discovered screaming and standing next to an open container of hair straightening lotion. Blisters were later noted on her lips, chin and hand. She refused to eat or drink anything. Examination at the hospital revealed superficial mucosal burns in the mouth and throat which slowly healed over the following ten days.
