Poison prevention tips

Keeping your child safe from poisons

Poison prevention and appropriate immediate treatment if your child has swallowed or come into contact with poison are vital to keep your child safe. Follow these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics…

Young children are curious and also pretty inventive when it comes to getting their mischievous little fingers on things that could harm them. Each year over a million children under the age of 6 swallow or come into contact with poisonous substances – and most poisonings occur when parents or caregivers are home but not paying attention.

Poison-proof your home

The most dangerous potential poisons are medicines, cleaning products, antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, pesticides, furniture polish, gasoline, kerosene and lamp oil. Be especially vigilant when there is a change in routine – holidays, visits to and from grandparents' homes, and other special events may increase the risk of poisoning if the usual safeguards aren’t in place.

• Store medicine, cleaners, paints/varnishes and pesticides in their original packaging in locked cabinets or containers, out of sight and reach of children.
• Install a safety latch that locks when you close the door on child-accessible cabinets containing harmful products.
• Purchase and keep all medicines in containers with safety caps. Discard unused medication.
• Never refer to medicine as ‘candy’ or another appealing name in order to get your child to take it.
• Check the label each time you give a child medicine to ensure proper dosage.
• Never store poisonous products in food or drink containers.
• Keep coal, wood or kerosene stoves in safe working order.
• Maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Treating your child

Different types and methods of poisoning require different, immediate treatment:

• Swallowed poison Remove the item from your child, and have him spit out any remaining substance. Do not make your child vomit and do not use syrup of ipecac.
• Skin poison Remove your child's clothes and rinse his skin with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
• Eye poison Flush your child’s eye by holding his eyelid open and pouring a steady stream of room temperature water into the inner corner.
• Inhaled poison If your child has breathed in poisonous fumes take him outside or into fresh air immediately. If he has stopped breathing, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and don’t stop until he breathes on his or her own, or until someone can take over.

 

Was this article helpful?