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| Quick reference medical handouts used
by Pediatric offices |
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Poison Control Week - Children Act Fast . . . . So do Poisons!
Here are some tips from the American Academy of
Pediatrics
on how to protect your child from common poison sources:
1. Kitchen. While some detergents are harmless,
others can
be deadly. The worst? Drain, oven and toilet bowl cleaners. Most
poisonings
occur when the product is being used. Lock up lye, furniture
polish and
dishwasher soap.
Safety tips:
-
Always keep your child in sight when answering the
door or
phone.
-
Return all products to safe storage areas immediately
after
use.
-
Store vitamins and dietary supplements in a safe
place.
-
If you must store items under the sink, be sure
cabinets are
locked.
-
Keep food, household and chemical products in
separate areas, so
cleaners won t be mistaken for food.
-
Store all cleaning products in original containers
— original
labels often contain first aid information.
-
Discard old or out-of-date products.
2. Windowsill, yard. A few plants are dangerous to
children
— and pets — so keep all plants out of reach.
Safety tips:
-
Identify the plants in and around your home. Weed out
poisonous
types.
-
Teach children not to eat leaves, berries or mushrooms
from the
yard.
-
Keep children away from grasses and plants that have
been sprayed
with chemicals. Better yet, avoid using chemical
sprays.
3. Bathroom, bedroom. Cosmetics and personal care
products
are hazardous. Nail products, including artificial nail glue
remover and
nail primers, contain dangerous methacrylic acid. Perfumes and
colognes contain
lots of alcohol. Talcum powder, if inhaled, can cause breathing
problems.
Safety tips:
-
Keep all cosmetic products out of reach.
-
Never leave such items unattended during use.
-
Regularly discard old grooming products.
4. Workshop, closet. Rat poison and other
pesticides are extremely
toxic whether eaten or absorbed through skin. Other threats?
Paints, solvents,
turpentine, mothballs and art/craft supplies. Be aware of the
potential for
lead-based paint in homes built before 1978. Uncertain? Have the
paint in
your home tested. Check your phone directory for the nearest
lead-testing
firm; do-it-yourself lead test kits also are available.
Safety tips:
-
Use chemical products outside or in well-ventilated
areas.
-
After use, store immediately preferably in locked
cabinets or on high
shelves far from common areas.
-
Store in original containers.
-
Discard old paint and packages.
-
Keep children away from recently treated
areas.
5. Garage. Antifreeze that contains ethylene glycol
can cause
kidney damage if swallowed, Windshield washer fluid can cause
blindness if
swallowed.
Safety tips:
-
Never leave a car running in a closed garage.
-
Don t leave auto chemical products unattended —
ever.
-
Store auto products right after use, either up high or
locked away
from inquisitive children.
6. Basement. Carbon monoxide and gas fumes are
health threats.
Due to their high metabolisms, children are especially vulnerable
to poisonous
gases.
Safety tips:
-
Install carbon monoxide detectors.
-
Be alert for leaky gas vents and malfunctioning wood,
coal or kerosene
stoves.
-
Schedule regular professional inspections of all
fuel-burning
appliances.
If Your Child Has Been Poisoned... Print this form and post it by your Telephone!
As a reminder, this information should not be relied on as
medical advice and is not intended to replace the advice of your child’s pediatrician.
Please read our full disclaimer.
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