Poison Prevention
Posted on by Eric Rubel
Poison prevention involves many different things. There are many items in just about every home that could be poisonous if used improperly. Medication being taken at the wrong dosage, by the wrong person, or combined with other medicines can all be considered poisonous. Household cleaners and chemicals may also be poisonous when inhaled or ingested. Over 90% of poisonings occur in the home—so it is critical to make your home safe in order to avoid poisoning.
Below are 10 useful tips for avoiding poisoning:
- Never mix chemicals or household products. Doing so could produce a hazardous gas.
- Never share prescription medicines. If you are taking more than one drug at a time, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or call the toll-free Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222). This number will connect you to your local poison center, which will allow you to find out more about possible drug interactions.
- Keep all household cleaners, chemicals, medicines, and potentially poisonous substances out of the reach of children or in locked cabinets.
- 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.
- 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.
- Check for lead-based paint. Remove any peeling paint or chewable surfaces painted with lead-based paint.
- 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.
- Safely 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.
- 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.
- Program the toll-free number for the Poison Control Center (800-222-1222) into your home and cell phone and 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.