Poison Prevention

Poison Prevention

Let’s face it, sometimes kids get into things that they probably shouldn’t, and sometimes those things can be poisonous. Here are a few tips to keep little explorers from finding their way into household items that could be dangerous. But just in case, we’ll also show you what to do if your child accidentally ingests something harmful.

Info on Poison Prevention

Half of the 2 million calls to Poison Help Number in in an average year involve children ages 5 and under. In fact, 9 out of 10 poisonings occur at home.

Top Tips

  1. Store all household products and cleaning solutions out of children’s sight and reach. Young kids are often eye-level with items under the kitchen and bathroom sinks.
  2. Store poisonous items out of reach or use safety locks on cabinets within reach. These items also include liquid packets for the laundry and dishwasher. It only takes a few minutes, and it gives you one less thing to worry about.
  3. Read product labels to find out what can be hazardous to kids. Dangerous household items include makeup, personal care products, plants, pesticides, lead, art supplies, alcohol and carbon monoxide.
  4. Make sure that all medications, including vitamins and adult medicines, are stored out of reach and out of sight or children.
  5. Put the toll-free number Poison Help Number (1-800-222-1222) into your home and cell phones. You should also post it near your phone or on your refrigerator for the babysitter. Hopefully you’ll never need it, but it’s nice to have just in case.
  6. Check for lead-based paint. Remove any peeling paint or chewable surfaces painted with lead-based paint.

Learn More

Many poisons are tasteless and don’t smell. Learn more about how to reduce the risk of accidental poisoning by reading the additional tips below.

Poison Prevention Tips

Keep Cleaners and Other Toxic Products Out of Reach

  1. Store all household products out of children’s sight and reach. Young kids are often eye-level with items under the kitchen and bathroom sinks. So any bleach, detergents, dishwasher liquid or cleaning solutions that are kept there should be moved to a new storage location.
  2. Install child safety locks on cabinets where you have stored products with hazardous chemicals. It only takes a few minutes, and it gives you one less thing to worry about.
  3. Read product labels to find out what can be hazardous to kids. Dangerous household items include makeup, personal care products, plants, pesticides, lead, art supplies, alcohol and carbon monoxide.
  4. Don’t leave poisonous products unattended while in use. Many incidents happen when adults are distracted for a moment on the phone or at the door.
  5. Keep cleaning products in their original containers. Never put a potentially poisonous product in something other than its original container (such as a plastic soda bottle) where it could be mistaken for something else.
  6. Throw away old medicines and other potential poisons. Check your garage, basement and other storage areas for cleaning and work supplies you no longer need and can discard.

Check Your Purse for Potential Hazards

  1. Be aware of any medications or makeup that may be in your handbag. Store handbags out of the reach of young children.

Use Original, Child-Resistant Packaging

  1. Buy child-resistant packages when available.
  2. Keep products in their original packages to avoid confusion.

Keep Medicines Up and Away

  1. Make sure that all medications, including vitamins and adult medicines, are stored out of reach and out of sight or children.
  2. Even if you are tempted to keep it handy, put medicine out of reach after every use. When you need to give another dose in just a few hours, it may be tempting to keep medicine close at hand. Accidents can happen fast. It only takes a few seconds for children to get into medicine that could make them very sick. Put medicine up and away after every use. And if you need a reminder, set an alarm on your watch or cell phone, or write yourself a note.
  3. Learn more medication safety tips.

Put the Poison Help Number in Your Phone

  1. Put the toll-free number for the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) into your home and cell phones.  You should also post it near your phone or on your refrigerator for the babysitter. Hopefully you’ll never need it, but it’s nice to have just in case.
  2. Poison control centers offer fast, free, confidential help in English and Spanish. Most poisonings are resolved over the phone. The number works from anywhere in the United States 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  3. If your child has collapsed, is not breathing, or has a seizure, call 911.
  4. Do not make children vomit or give him anything unless directed by a professional.

Check for Lead

  1. Check homes built before 1978 for lead-based paint. If lead hazards are identified, test your child for lead exposure and hire a professional to control and remove lead sources safely.
  2. Remove any peeling paint or chewable surfaces painted with lead-based paint.
  3. Regularly wash your child’s toys and pacifiers to reduce the risk of your child coming into contact with lead or lead-contaminated dust.
  4. Check www.recalls.gov for more info on product recalls involving lead-based products. Follow the recommendations to eliminate any products such as toys or cookware that contain lead.

Install a Carbon Monoxide Alarm to Prevent Poisoning

  1. Install a carbon monoxide alarm on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas, and keep them at least 15 feet away from fuel-burning appliances.

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