Back to School Poison Control Safety

Back to school means prepping! It may start with purchasing new school supplies and maybe even some new clothes in order to get back into the swing of learning! But it also means making sure you are prepared for poison emergencies.

Here are some tips from the Texas Poison Center Network to make sure this school year stays poison-free:

1.  Medications- Unfortunately, most poisonings involve medications. Remember, it is never a good idea to send medications in your children’s backpack. If you child needs to take medication during the day, talk to the office staff about the school’s policy on bringing and administering medications. For older children, remind them to never take any medication offered to them or that is not prescribed to them. Let your children know that one of the risks of sharing medications is not always knowing what is in the medication that is being shared. Always keep medications locked, out of sight and out of reach of children.

2.    School Supplies- It is a good idea to sit down with your young children and remind them that supplies they use at school such as crayons, glue, markers, and glitter should be kept out of their
mouths and should only be appropriately as the teacher has them do. It is important to educate older children on the potential danger of ingesting or inhaling some of these items simply because a friend dared them, etc.

3.    Cleaning Supplies- While most cleaning supplies in classrooms are out of reach of children, some are accidentally left in an area that is within reach and can be dangerous for children if ingested. This includes items like hand sanitizer. While hand hygiene is important to reduce the spread of bacteria, it is also important for adults to monitor it’s use, since it contains alcohol and other ingredients that can cause intoxication, vomiting or worse.

4.    Program the Poison Control Helpline in your phone. If you suspect a poison emergency, please contact 1-800-222-1222. Commit the number to memory and try to teach your kids the number as well. You never know when you might need it!

The TPCN hopes your children have a great school year and stay safe from poisonings of any kind. But if you do find yourself needing poison control, remember poison control experts are available to provide assistance and advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays so never be afraid to reach out for help.