Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

How to Prevent Poisoning

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: October 2001
Last Revision Date: April 2002

Common Questions, Quick Answers

• How can my child be poisoned?
• What do I have around my house that's dangerous?
• Where should I store poisonous substances?
• How do I get rid of poisonous substances?
• Are child-resistant containers safe?
• What should I know about medicine?
• What can I do to prevent an emergency?
• What do I do if I think my child has been poisoned?

How can my child be poisoned?

• Poisoning can happen with almost any substance.
• It can happen when harmful substances are swallowed, inhaled, or have contact with the body (such as the skin or eyes).
• It can happen when nontoxic substances are taken in the wrong amount.

What do I have around my house that's dangerous?
Keep alcohol out of the reach of children. Many other products around your house could be poisonous:

Pills, medicine

• Aspirin, medicine, vitamins, diet pills, and diet supplements.

Bathroom

• Cleaners, sprays, perfume, cologne, hairspray, and mouthwash.

Household products

• Cleaners, polishes, solvents, and products with lye and acids.

Garage, work room

• Insect sprays, kerosene, lighter fluid, turpentine, paint, glue, batteries, and antifreeze.

Laundry room

• Detergents, bleach, fabric softeners, and pet products.

Outdoors

• Fertilizers, pesticides, plants, and berries.

Tell children not to eat leaves or berries from indoor or outdoor plants. Clear children and toys from yard before you use pesticides or fertilizer. Let the grass dry before the children come back. Consider making some areas "off limits" to your children.

Where should I store poisonous substances?

• Keep all harmful substances out of children's reach and sight.
• Put products away right after you use them. Never leave them out, even to answer a phone or the door.
• If products are stored in a low place or under the sink, lock the cabinet door. Keep the key out of a child's reach.
• Remember-- children can often open safety locks. Keep products stored and locked in a high place if possible.
• Children can climb. Keep products higher than a child can reach from any place she might climb.
• If you have medicine in your purse, keep your purse out of your child's reach.
• Do not keep medicine on low, bedside tables.
• Do not store harmful products near food. Children may mistake them for food.

  

How do I get rid of poisonous substances?

• Clean out medicine cabinets every few months. Throw out old medicine and products you don't use.
• Pour old medication or chemicals down a toilet or drain. Rinse out the sink or flush the toilet. Rinse out the container before you throw it in the trash. Seal the trash bag and put a lid on the trash can.

Are child-resistant containers safe?

• Use child-resistant packages. Put the lids back on tight.
• Child-resistant containers are safe but not guaranteed. Curious, playful children can find ways to open almost anything.
• Never take products out of a child-resistant bottle to store them in a different container.
• Lock cabinets, even if products are in child-resistant containers.

What should I know about medicine?

• Never call medicine "candy." Call medicine by its name, even if your child doesn't want to take it.
• Always ask your pharmacist for child-resistant bottles. Keep labels on medication.
• Families who don't have children living in their home, especially grandparents, should use child-resistant containers, too. Keep bottles out of children's reach at all times, even on days when children aren't expected to visit.
• Tell houseguests how to keep their medicine out of your child's reach.
• Check the dosage every time you use medication.
• Do not take medicine in front of children. They like to imitate adults.

What can I do to prevent an emergency?

• When given a choice, buy products that aren't toxic. If needed, buy small amounts.
• Do not tear the labels off any product. All containers should be labeled.
• Never put chemicals (such as paint, kerosene, or household cleaners) in drinking glasses or soft-drink bottles. Children may drink them.
• Read labels before using cleaning products. Do not mix unless directed.
• Don't let children help you clean with harmful substances. This sends the message that it is okay for them to use these products. It may also be harmful to their health.

What do I do if I think my child has been poisoned?
If you think your child has been poisoned, call the Poison Control Center, your doctor, or 911 immediately.

• National Poison Center 1-800-222-1222.
• Be prepared to give the product information from the label and information about your child. If you go to the doctor's office or hospital, bring the product with you.
• Keep emergency phone numbers by the phone. Point them out to people who watch your child while you are gone.
• If your child vomits, is drowsy, has a substance spilled on her clothes or around her mouth, burns on her skin, or a strange smell on her breath, she may have been poisoned.

Quick Answers

• Poisoning can happen with almost any substance.
• Many products around your house could be poisonous, such as: medicine, cleaners, sprays, paint, detergents, and pesticides.
• Keep all harmful substances out of your child's reach and sight.
• Pour old medication or chemicals down a toilet or drain.
• Never take products out of a child-resistant bottle to store them in a different container.
• Do not tear labels off of medication or cleaners.
• Never put chemicals in drinking glasses or soft-drink bottles.
• If you think your child has been poisoned, call the Poison Control Center, your doctor, or 911 immediately.

References

• The Children's Hospital Boston. Poison Prevention Suggestions. Iowa Health Book: Emergency Medicine. 1992 February (cited 2001 September 25). Available from: URL: http://www.vh.org/Patients/IHB/Emergency/Poison/PoisonPreventSuggest.html
• Consumer Product Safety Commission. Locked Up Poisons Prevent Tragedy. Iowa Health Book: Emergency Medicine. 1993 (cited 2001 September 25). Available from: URL: http://www.vh.org/Patients/IHB/Emergency/Poison/LockedUpPosions/LockedUpPosions.html
• Consumer Product Safety Commission. National Poison Prevention Week March 18-24, 2001. (cited 2001 September 25). Available from: URL: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/386.html
• Consumer Product Safety Commission. Poison Lookout Checklist. (cited 2001 September 25). Available from: URL: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/383.html

Title Page

See related Patient Topics Household Poisons, Poisoning, Poisoning, Toxicology, Environmental Health, Preventing Disease and Staying Healthy, Safety, Safety--General or Wellness and Lifestyle.

See related Provider Topics Poisoning, Toxicology, Environmental Health, Preventing Disease and Staying Healthy, Safety or Wellness and Lifestyle.

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