When
to Discuss Poison Prevention
The
topic of poison prevention can be brought up at any time: during family
dinners, while driving your children to soccer practice, in conversation with
older adults about their medications, at parent-teacher meetings, or at
community events.
Safety
Measures
Make sure all medicines, cleaning products,
chemicals, and potential harmful cosmetics, such as nail varnish, are locked
away, out of sight and out of reach of children.
Do not store medicines, cleaning products or
chemicals near food items to avoid accidental ingestion.
Button batteries, found in watches and musical
greeting cards can be easily swallowed.
Keep these batteries and the devices that use
them out of children’s reach.
Never administer or take medicine in the dark
to avoid incorrect dosages.
Keeping cigarettes and tobacco, and vaping
equipment out of children’s reach. Also, avoid smoking or vaping in front of
children.
Always store chemicals in their original
containers. Never place medicines or chemicals,
Like weed killer in soft drink bottles.
Single use detergent pods or liquid laundry
detergents are easily swallowed and dangerous. Keep them on a high shelf or in
a similar location where young children cannot reach them.
Get a carbon monoxide alarm for each room of
your home that contains appliances that burn gas, oil, coal, or wood.
For
Halloween, remind children that it’s important for an adult to check all treats
before they eat them. During the winter season, discuss with your friends and
family the importance of keeping mistletoe out of the reach of young children
and pets.
During National Poison
Prevention Week,
the third
full week of March each year, consider partnering with your local poison center
to educate your community about the risks of poisoning and how to prevent them.
Make sure everyone knows
what to do if a poisoning happens: Right away call the toll-free Poison Help
line (1-800-222-1222), which connects you to your local poison center.
