Poison Prevention

women cleaning windows

Every day, over 300 children in the United States ages 0 to 19 are treated in an emergency department, and two children die, as a result of being poisoned.1 Poisoning in children is one of the leading cause of unintentional deaths among children ages 1 to 19 years. It is important to remember that although some products may be beneficial for your home, it can be harmful to your children. Remember to store all household products out of your child’s sight and reach. Often active babies and toddlers can get into places without your knowing. Always use child safety locks on cabinets and drawers where common household products are stored.

Follow these Poison Prevention tips to help keep your kids safe:

Storing Household Products Safely:

  • Keep all potential harmful cleaning products up and away, out of children’s reach and sight. This includes after every use including products in your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry area. 
  • Remember to keep all household cleaning products in their original containers as they typically provide an extra layer of protection. 
  • Always read the product label to check for any potential poisonous ingredients. 

Checking Your Home for Potential Poisons:

  • ·  Remember to check your home for lead-based paint. This applies to homes built before 1978. If lead hazards are identified, call the National Lead Information Center (1-800-424-5323) for detailed information.
  • ·  Install carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Make sure these is one on every level of your home. If the Carbon monoxide alarm sounds, leave your home immediately and move to a safe location outside where you can breathe in fresh air before you call for help.
  • ·  It is important to check for product recalls periodically. Check www.recalls.gov for more information on product recalls.
  • Remember to save the Poison Help Number in your phone and have It posted in central locations of your home. The TN Poison Center is open 365 days, 24/7. The Poison Help Hotline is 800-222-1222. The Help Hotline is available anytime for families and is operated by nurses, doctors, and pharmacists. 

What to do in a Poison Emergency:

It is also important to know not to leave your vehicle running inside of the garage even if the garage door is open. This can very harmful to both children and adults. 

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  2. Safe Kids Worldwide