Each year, millions of cases of accidental poisoning occur. Most of them are in children aged 1 to 6.
Poisoning most often occurs from swallowing harmful substances, such as strong lyes, like drain cleaners.
The kitchen between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. is the time and place when most accidental poisonings occur. The bathroom is the next most likely site.
The most common potential poisons include:
Medicines such as aspirin,
tranquilizers, sleeping pills
Household cleaners such as bleach,
dishwasher detergent, floor and furniture polishes and waxes, drain cleaners
Ammonia, lye
Insecticides and rat poison
Vitamins
Alcoholic beverages
Rubbing alcohol, iodine, hair dye,
mouthwash, mothballs
Some indoor plants
Some outdoor plants and berries
Gasoline, antifreeze, oil, and other
chemicals for the car
Lighter fluid
Paint thinner
Some substances are toxic when they are inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
Examples are:
Airplane glue
Gasoline
Auto exhaust
Formaldehyde and other chemicals
Prevention
To prevent poisoning:
Keep all harmful substances out of
the reach of children. Better yet, keep them locked up.
Buy and put childproof latches on cabinet
doors.
Do not store hazardous materials or
medications in food containers. It's best to keep these items in their original
containers, out of reach and out of sight.
Place plants where children cannot pull off
a leaf or berry for tasting.
Store all medications and vitamins in
containers with child-resistant tops. Even vitamins with iron can be deadly to a small
child.
Read warning labels on pesticides,
household cleaners, and other potentially poisonous products so you know what to do in the
event of an accidental poisoning. Some label instructions may be outdated, so always call
the Poison Control Center when poisoning occurs.
Flush unused medications down the toilet
and rinse the containers before throwing them away.
Buy a 1-ounce bottle of syrup of ipecac and
replace it with a new one each year. Syrup of ipecac is used to induce vomiting after
certain poisons have been swallowed.
Also, keep activated charcoal on hand. This
may be necessary to give when certain chemicals are swallowed.
Teach your child never to touch anything
with a skull-and-crossbones on it. This is the standard symbol for poison.
Never call medications or vitamins
"candy" in front of a child.
Wear protective clothing, masks, etc., when
using chemicals that could cause harm if inhaled or absorbed by the skin.
Only use volatile substances such as
gasoline and wood stain in areas that are well ventilated. Product labels tell you if
ventilation is needed.
Post the phone number of your local poison
control center next to the phone. And keep the numbers of the closest hospital emergency
room, your doctor and ambulance service near the phone as well. Find out what these
numbers are now.
If and when you need to call the Poison Control Center, your doctor, or nearby
hospital, be ready to give this information:
The name of the substance taken
The amount
When it was taken
A list of ingredients on the product label
Information about the person who took the
poison:
His or her age, gender, and weight
How he or she is feeling and reacting
Any medical problems he or she has
| Is the person not breathing and has no pulse? {Note: Do CPR. (See CPR.)}  |
 |
| Is the person not breathing, but has a pulse? {Note: Do rescue breathing. (See Airway and Breathing.)} |
|
| Is the person unconscious or having convulsions? {Note: See Unconsciousness; First Aid for Seizures with Convulsions under "Seizures".} |
|
| Has any substance been swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed by the skin
that: Has a "Harmful or fatal if
swallowed" warning on the label? Has a skull-and-crossbones sign on the
container? You suspect is poisonous {Note: Call the Poison Control Center first.} |
|
See items under Prevention above to prevent poisoning.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99