Poison Prevention
Poison prevention is a year-round task. This handout gives adults and families with children tips on how to prevent an accidental poisoning. There is also a guide on what to do if a poisoning does occur.
Prevention: Some General Guidelines
- Read all labels and carefully follow instructions. Be careful not to duplicate ingredients when taking more than one medicine. If you get up at night to take a medicine, be sure to turn on a light and check the label.
- Always store medicines and harmful substances in their original containers. If you must change containers, be sure to re-label the new container. Never put any poison in an old food or beverage container. Don’t combine a partial bottle of tablets with a new bottle.
- Don’t share medicines. Medicines should only be used by the person the doctor prescribed them for.
- Clean out medicine cabinets regularly. If possible take meds to a safe disposal program.
- Be sure to use adequate ventilation when using cleaning fluids, paints or solvents.
- Be sure to protect your eyes and skin when using insect or weed killers, solvents, etc. Avoid using lawn/garden chemicals on windy days.
- Keep the phone number of your doctor, poison center, ambulance and emergency room near the phone.
- Read the caution labels of household cleaners and don’t mix them together; dangerous fumes may result
Poison Prevention and Children (for parents, grandparents, and others)
If you have children, grandchildren, or if you care for children, remember: preschoolers love to put things in their mouths. In fact, children under the age of 6 years are the most likely to have an accidental poisoning.
“Childproof” caps on bottles of medicine or cleaning products are really only child-resistant. Don’t assume that your child will not be able to open one. “Childproof” containers should still be kept out of children's reach.
Use a home checklist to find areas in the home where harmful substances may be found. Do this before your child learns to crawl and climb. Placing a child in a walker will give him instant mobility as if he can walk. The walker also gives him access to higher tables and counters that he cannot otherwise reach. Doublecheck these areas before children come to visit. See below for a list of common areas to check.
Locked poisons are the safest. This includes medicines and household chemicals. It may not be possible to lock up products that you use often. Still, be sure they are out of your child’s sight and reach. Products that can burn your child’s throat and stomach should be locked up. This would include lye, drain, oven and toilet bowl cleaners.
Do not call medicine “candy.” Also, be careful with flavored children’s chewable medicines including vitamins. Your child may want to eat it like candy.
Don’t take medicine in front of your child. Remember, children like to imitate adults.
If you visit a home with young children and you have medicines with you, be sure children can’t get to them. For instance, keep your medicines locked in your suitcase and keep your purse out of reach. The same applies to cigarettes.
If you have indoor plants, your local poison center can tell you which ones are poisonous. Keep any poisonous plants out of reach. Also, alert children not to eat plants or berries they find outdoors. Try to have all garden and landscaping plants identified before an exposure occurs; a garden center can do this for you.
Poison Prevention – Do you know the score? Home Checklist
Give yourself one point for each preventive step you do now.
| Kitchen |
|
No household products under the sink |
|
|
No medicines on the countertops |
|
|
|
All cleaners out of reach |
|
|
|
No medicines on the window sill |
|
| Bathroom
|
|
Medicine chest cleaned monthly |
|
|
Old medicines thrown out safely |
|
|
|
All medicines in containers with safety caps |
|
|
|
Always read the label |
|
|
|
Always turn on a light when taking medicine at night |
|
|
|
Never call medicine “candy” for children |
|
| Bedroom |
|
No medicines left within reach on dresser, chest, or bedside table |
|
|
All perfumes and cosmetics are out of reach |
|
|
|
No flaking paint chips on crib, playpen or window sills |
|
| Laundry
|
|
Soaps and detergents up high |
|
|
All cleaners in locked cabinets |
|
|
|
Furniture and metal polish out of reach |
|
|
|
Drain cleaners are in safety closure containers and locked up |
|
| Garage |
|
Bug spray and weed killers up high |
|
|
No gasoline left in a pop bottle or cup |
|
|
|
Turpentine and paint thinner are in original containers and up high |
|
| Total Score
|
|
19-20 Excellent |
|
|
16-18 Good, but keep trying |
|
|
|
10-15 Room for improvement |
|
|
|
6-9 Danger area with need for improved safety measures |
|
|
|
0-5 Asking for trouble with small children in the home |
Examples of Household Substances that Can Cause Poisoning
|
Medicines |
Shop products |
Household Products |
|
aspirin |
acetone |
bleaches |
|
acetaminophen (Tylenol®) |
kerosene |
detergents |
|
cough syrups |
lighter fluids |
floor/furniture polish/waxes |
|
iron pills |
fuel oil |
rubbing alcohol |
|
vitamins |
gasoline |
moth balls |
|
antidepressants |
turpentine |
ammonia |
|
allergy pills |
paint |
lamp oil |
|
heart medicines |
paint removers & thinners |
|
|
|
antifreeze |
|
|
|
windshield washer fluid |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Personal products |
Lawn products |
Others |
|
perfumes |
insect killers |
tobacco |
|
nail polish & remover |
weed killers |
alcoholic beverages |
|
hair spray |
fertilizers |
|
|
hair relaxer |
|
|
Poisonous and Caustic (will burn mouth, esophagus & stomach, as well as skin and eyes)
|
oven cleaner |
disinfectants |
lye |
rust stain remover |
|
drain cleaner |
pipeline cleaner |
some toliet bowl cleaners |
some furniture strippers |
What to Do in Case of a Poisoning
|
Poison in the eye |
|
|
Poison on the skin |
|
|
Inhaled poison (fumes or gases) |
|
|
Swallowed poison |
|
Emergency Phone Numbers
Poison Center (800) 222-1222 anywhere in the US, any time of day, every day of the year.
911 – Emergency Help
Family Doctor ___________________________________________
For More Information
The Wisconsin Poison Center: www.wisconsinpoison.com
UW Hospital Poison Prevention and Education Center: www.uwhealth.org/poison
600 Highland Ave, Room F6/133
Madison WI 53792-1530
E-mail: ppec@hosp.wisc.edu
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 12/23/2009
Copyright © 12/23/2009 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #4204
Print Health Fact For You