Did you know that each year, more than 1.2 million children ages 5 and under are unintentionally poisoned? Whether it's medication on your dresser, cleaning supplies under your kitchen sink, cosmetics in your bathroom or carbon monoxide from gas appliances in your home, there are simple steps you can take to keep your kids safe.
Start by reading all labels to find out what is poisonous. You know that many household products and all medicines can be dangerous, but you should also be aware that makeup, toys, art supplies, alcohol and even some household plants can poison your child.
Make sure to store potentially poisonous household products and medications out of your child’s sight and reach. Preferably you should have child safety locks on all compartments, cabinets or drawers that are within reach of small children. If that is not feasible, hazardous items should be placed on high shelves that can’t be easily reached.
Keep products in their original packages. This will avoid any confusion as to what is in the container, as well as offer a label showing those ingredients. You should also avoid mixing cleaning products for the same reason.
Buy child-resistant packages whenever available. But remember that child-resistant doesn’t mean child-proof.
Protect your children from other poisons that may be present in your home such as lead. Many homes built before 1978 used lead-based paint. Make sure your child does not have access to peeling paint or chewable surfaces painted with lead-based paint. If you have concerns about lead, visit a doctor and ask for a blood test for your child for lead exposure. If found, hire a professional to control and remove lead sources safely.
Carbon monoxide poisonings are another potential hazard, especially if you have gas, oil or coal-burning appliances or heaters in your home. Have all gas, oil or coal burning appliances inspected by a technician every year to ensure they are working correctly and are properly ventilated. You should also buy a combination smoke and CO alarm and install one outside every sleeping area and on every level of your home. Place CO alarms at least 15 feet away from any fuel-burning appliance to reduce the number of nuisance alarms.
Other CO hazards to avoid are using a grill, generator or camping stove inside your home, garage or near a window. And you should never leave a car, SUV, or motorcycle engine running inside a garage, even if the garage door is open.
Be aware that curious hands and minds like to explore. Never leave poisonous products unattended while you are using them. An accidental poisoning can happen in the blink of an eye when adults are distracted to answer the phone or leave the room to answer the front door. Don’t leave your handbag where your young child can easily reach and explore its contents. Makeup, hand creams and small spray bottles can be especially attractive, and dangerous, for your child.
If you find your child with an open or empty container of a nonfood item, your child may have been poisoned. Stay calm and act quickly. First, get the item away from your child. If there is still some in your child's mouth, make him spit it out or remove it with your fingers. Keep this material along with anything else that might help determine what your child swallowed.
Do not make your child vomit because it may cause more damage. If your child is unconscious, not breathing, having convulsions seizures, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
If you suspect your child has been poisoned but they are not exhibiting distress symptoms, take the product to the phone and call the toll-free nationwide poison control center number - 1-800-222-1222. Poison control centers offer fast, free, confidential help in English and Spanish. Most poisonings are resolved over the phone. The number works from anywhere in the United States 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For more information on poison safety, attend our Toy Safety and Poison Safety Seminar on Monday, September 26 at 11:00 AM. The seminar will be given by Safe Kids Cobb County in partnership with A Room Of Their Own.
