Poison Prevention
Across the United States, around 67,500 kids each year are seen because of accidental poisoning. Of these, around 17 children will die according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Around 85% of poisonings occurred at home.
Overall, around 24 million people call poison control centers every year. Although most of these accidental poisonings do not turn out to be serious, it illustrates just how common accidental poisonings in kids actually are.
To Reduce the Risk of Poisoning, BE AWARE
Be sure to keep household products and medicines out of sight of children in a cabinet or closet that locks or has a child-resistant latch.
Ensure that medicines and all household products remain in their original containers – never transfer to bottles, cups or other non-child-resistant containers.
Ask for and use household products and medicines in child-resistant packaging. Resecure the safety feature carefully after each use.
When storing household products, be sure to choose a location other than where foods and medicines are stored.
Avoid taking medications when children can see you because they tend to imitate adults.
Refer to medicines by their proper names. Medicine is not “candy.”
Ensure that you read the label before using a product.
Keep Your Home Poison Safe by Following These Simple Tips
General
- Install safety latches on cupboards for harmful products.
- Keep all products in original containers.
- Keep ashtrays empty and out of the reach of children (better yet, don’t allow smoking in or around your home).
- Keep alcoholic beverages out of the reach of children.
- Program the number for poison control in your cell phone and post it in your house—1-800-222-1222.
Kitchen
- Move cleaning products from under the sink to upper shelves or locked cabinets.
- Remove medicines including vitamins from countertops, windowsills and open areas.
- Store all household products away from food items.
Bathroom
- Keep all medicines, cosmetics, perfumes, mouthwashes, etc., out of sight and reach of children- or lock them up!
- Move drain and toilet bowl cleaners, etc., from under the sink to upper shelves of locked cabinets.
- Dispose of outdated medications appropriately.
Bedroom
- Remove medicines from dresser or bedside table.
- Keep perfumes, nail polish removers and powders out of reach of children.
- Know the names of the plants in your home. Keep them out of the reach of children and pets.
Laundry Area
- Keep all bleaches, soap, and detergents, out of reach of children or in a locked cabinet.
- If you use detergent packets, be sure they are stored out of reach.
Garage/Basement:
- Keep insect sprays, weed killers and fertilizers in locked storage.
- Keep turpentine, paints, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, rust removers, and motor oils in locked storage.
Keep products in their original container with original labels.
On a separate note, it is important to point out that Kentucky is one of the unhealthiest states in our nation; but, a few healthy lifestyle choices could change this. First, eating normally proportioned helpings of nutritious foods including at least five fruits and vegetables a day can lower weight and reduce heart disease and diabetes. Second, exercising about 30 minutes per day can lower blood pressure. Third, avoiding the use of tobacco products can reduce several types of cancer. Finally, making sure you get your needed preventive screenings can detect diseases early and greatly increase your chances for a positive health outcomes, while receiving your recommended vaccinations can prevent acquiring disease in the first place.
Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission and Kentucky Poison Control Center.