Facts About Poisons
Children are curious and love to explore their world. Babies tend to put everything
in their mouth. And toddlers grab whatever looks interesting. Tweens and teens may
try drugs and other mind-altering substances. Here are some facts about poisonings
in the U.S.
-
Each year, poison control centers get more than 1 million calls about accidental poisonings
of children ages 5 and younger.
-
More than 9 in 10 poisonings in children are in the home.
-
Makeup and personal care products are the most common causes of poisonings in children
ages 5 and younger. Other causes are plants, cleaning products, pesticides, paints,
solvents, and fumes and vapors such as carbon monoxide.
-
Another common cause of poisoning in children is medicines. There are many causes
of medicine error. A medicine may be given at the wrong time, or the spacing between
doses may be wrong. Mistakes may be made in how much medicine is given or in measuring
it. You can help prevent these errors by always using the dosing device that comes
with the medicine. Talk with your child's healthcare provider about when to give the
medicine, how much to give, and how to measure it.
Get your child treatment right away to help prevent most serious problems. But preventing
poisoning is always the best solution. Here are some tips to prevent poisoning in
children:
-
Safety latches and locks are helpful, but they may not work. Keep dangerous items
out of your child's reach. This includes personal care supplies, makeup, medicines,
laundry and cleaning products, chemicals, items with batteries, and plants.
-
Be aware that colorful items (such as laundry detergent pods) might look like candy
to a child.
-
Read the labels on medicine to ensure the correct dose. Use the dosing device that
comes with your child’s medicine. Talk with your child's healthcare provider about
when and how to give medicine.
-
Never call medicine "candy."
-
Make sure the carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your home are working.
-
Never put nonfood items in food or drink containers.
-
Keep household products in a different place from food.
If you have a poisoning emergency, call poison control right away. The national toll-free
number is 800-222-1222. Your call will go to your local poison control center. Be prepared for a poisoning
emergency by posting the phone number where you can easily see it. Or program it into
your phone.
If your child has collapsed or is not breathing, call 911.