Child Poison Prevention
Children of any age can and will become very sick from coming in contact with or ingesting household cleaning products, medicines, vitamins, chemicals, cosmetics, plants, and flowers. Children come into contact with these substances when parents are busy cooking dinner, talking on the phone, taking the shower etc. Do not assume that they will do it in front of you. All dangerous substances must be in a safe, unreachable place. Say for example you fell, hit your head, and were knocked out. Do you feel comfortable with your current precautions?
Children explore. At some point they will look under the bathroom sinks, look under the kitchen sink, or wander out to the garage. They could even use a bathroom stool to reach the medicine cabinet. You can buy a lockable box for medications or you can designate a high kitchen cabinet for all medicines, vitamins, and ointments. Children like to put things in their mouths and stick their fingers into substances. They like to spray things and pour things out. Leaving dangerous substances out in the open could cost your child their life.
You should leave all potentially dangerous substances in their original containers. You do not want someone to place the wrong container in the wrong place. The most dangerous poisons for children include the following:
- Medicines.
- Vitamins or substances with Iron- cause may life-threatening poisonings for children under 5.
- Cleaning Products.
- Anti-freeze.
- Windshield Washer Fluid.
- Pesticides- powders, fluids, and granules.
- Furniture Polishes.
- Gasoline and Kerosene.
- Lamp Oils and Scented Oils.
Ask any grandparents or anyone that watches your child to show you how they store their dangerous substances. If your child ingests a substance that is dangerous you can call the Poison Help Line (number below). They will let you know the proper course of action. Keep the Poison Help Line number on the refrigerator or somewhere that is easy to access in an emergency.
Poison Help Line 1-800-222-1222.
