Poison Prevention

In recent years, unintentional poisoning death rates in the United States have increased, largely because of increases in recreational drug overdoses among adults. But accidental poisoning is also a huge risk for children. According to the Poison Prevention Council, poisonings are one of the leading causes of death among adults. However, the majority of non-fatal poisonings occur in children younger than six years old.

Children are naturally curious. But with some household items, a child's determination to check things out can be dangerous, even fatal. According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, young children can be poisoned by:

• medications
• alcoholic beverages
• cleaning products
• cosmetics
• pesticides
• paints and solvents

Although accidental poisonings are always a concern, especially for children under the age of five, precautions at home can help reduce your child's risk.

Vitamins and medications

Iron poisoning is a major concern of child safety experts. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), iron-containing supplements are the leading cause of poisoning deaths in children under the age of six in this country. (Read about "Iron Supplement Warning") It's important to treat vitamins, especially flavored chewable vitamins (Read about "Vitamins & Minerals"), like any other medication; in other words, keep the bottles tightly sealed and store the product out of children's reach.

Remember too that child-resistant caps are just that - child-resistant, not childproof. Other FDA guidelines include:

• keep all medicine in their original containers
• always follow your doctor's instructions on proper dosage when giving a child any kind of medication (Read about "Children and Prescriptions")

Household chemicals

We tend to store household chemicals in places that are all too easy for children to reach. Some suggestions from the American Medical Association:

• Avoid keeping chemicals under the sink or in a corner of the garage.
• Use child-resistant latches on cabinets.
• Buy only as much of a product, such as paint for example, as you think you'll need.
• If you are using any pesticides, make sure you remove any toys from the area.
• If you have product leftover, don't transfer the chemical to another container. For example, if you pour leftover turpentine into a juice jar or cup, a child could mistake it for something drinkable. (Read about "Childproof House")
• Never put roach powders or rat poison on the floors of your home

Accidental poisoning among adults

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHSP) says that, among adults, seniors who take multiple medications are at increased risk of accidental poisonings. They recommend that seniors and/or their caregivers:

• keep a list of medications
• use the same pharmacy to fill prescriptions
• learn about potential interactions for the medications they take

Younger adults are also at risk of accidental drug overdose. Even drugs that are legally prescribed, or available over-the-counter, can be dangerous if taken in combination, if used in excess or if used with alcohol. To prevent accidental overdose:

• use medications according to directions on the label
• take only prescription medications that have been prescribed for you by your doctor
• do not take medication longer than the maximum length of time recommended on the label

If you find that medication is not working, or not working as well as it once did, talk to your doctor; don't start taking more on your own.

Recognizing the problem

When it comes to poisoning, it can be hard to determine exactly what's causing the problem, especially in young children. Unusual behavior, sudden lethargy or an opened bottle of pills are all indications that poisoning has occurred. According to the American College of Emergency Physicians some signs to look for are:

• severe throat pain
• breathing difficulty
• unexplained nausea and vomiting
• burns on the lips or mouth

You may also smell whatever the child swallowed on their breath.

If you suspect poisoning, it's important to call your doctor and nearest poison control center right away. Everyone, especially parents, should get these numbers right away. Then write them down and keep these numbers by the phone so they're available for emergencies. There is also a national poison control number, 1-800-222-1222. This number will connect you to a network of 65 poison control centers around the nation. It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When you call, be prepared to give your child's age, weight and all you know about the poisonous substance involved. In addition, talk with your doctor about what you should keep on hand in the event of an accidental poisoning. Some poison control organizations suggest keeping on hand activated charcoal (which can prevent the absorption of certain poisons). However, make sure it is always stored out of children's reach.

Some groups used to suggest keeping syrup of ipecac on hand, but that has mostly changed. The American Academy of Pediatrics says recent studies have shown no benefit for children treated with ipecac. Most importantly, do not administer anything to anyone until you've first called your doctor or poison control center, provided them with all the information they need to correctly evaluate the situation, and then been specifically instructed by them to do so. Depending on the type of poison involved and on other factors such as how long it's been since the poison was ingested, charcoal could make things worse.

Related Information:

    Children & Prescriptions