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Each year thousands of people become
injured or ill due to unintentional poisonings.
These may occur through direct skin contact,
inhalation, absorption, or ingestion of the
substance into the body.
Many types of harmful substances are
found throughout the home. A harmful
substance is defined as any chemical,
product, or plant which can be injurious to
children, adults, or pets.
All household products must be used
and stored with great care, especially when
children live in the home or visit often.
Household products such as cleaning liquids and
powders, paint thinners, drain cleaners,
windshield washer fluid and polishes are found in
most homes. Because they are so common, we
forget how dangerous they are. Most
household chemical containers carry symbols and
safety warnings on the labels. Learn the
symbols and follow the instructions. By
doing so you could prevent an injury or even save
a life.
Other
Harmful Substances
- Prescription and non-prescription
drugs.
- Ammonia, bleach, dish soap, alcohol,
spray cleaners, toothpaste.
- Garden chemicals such as herbicides,
pesticides, fertilizers.
- Antifreeze, paint and paint products
(kerosene, turpentine).
- Swimming pool chemicals.
- Plants such as poinsettias, oleanders,
diffenbachias, azaleas, mistletoe, and
pyracantha berries.
Safe
Guarding Your Home
Unintentional poisonings are
preventable. Safe guard your home by doing
the following:
- Use safety latches on medicine
cabinets, drawers, and cupboards where
substances are stored.
- Use products with child resistant caps.
- All products should be stored in their
original container for immediate reference to
safety symbols and warnings.
- All chemicals in the garage or storage
areas should be kept out of a child's reach.
- Never
call medicine candy and do not take
medications in front of children. They
may imitate you.
- Discard all old, unused and unlabelled
medicine by flushing it down the toilet.
- Keep shampoo, mouthwash, toothpaste,
cosmetics, and other personal care items out
of the reach of little ones.
- A key should be kept available outside
the bathroom if the door has a lock on it.
- Be sure visitors in your home do not
leave suitcases containing pills, shampoos and
other supplies open for children to explore.
- Keep a list of the plants in your home
and garden in case of ingestion by a child or
a pet.
- Tobacco and alcoholic drinks, even
in small amounts,
are dangerous to children and pets.
After a party, be sure to properly dispose of
smoking materials, including butts and
ashes. All unfinished alcoholic
beverages should be poured down the drain.
Recognizing a Harmful Substance
Exposure
It is not always easy to recognize if
someone has been poisoned. Unless the person
involved tells someone, asks for help, or behaves
inappropriately, no one may know that an
unintentional poisoning has even occurred.
This is especially true of children.
Youngsters are more likely to remain silent
because they fear being scolded or punished.
Items commonly ingested by children are cough and
cold preparations, Ibuprofen, Tylenol and tasty
multivitamins.
The most obvious sign of poisoning
involving a child may be an open pill bottle, half
eaten plant, open container, or the complaint of a
"tummy ache."
Watch
for unusual behavior or strange mouth odors.
Emergency
Action For Poisoning
If you suspect that a poisoning has
occurred, and it does
not appear to be life-threatening,
call your local Poison Control Center. They
provide around-the-clock advice and assistance
with specially-trained nurses and can answer
questions or provide information following a toxic
exposure. The Poison Center estimates that
over 85% of the phone calls they receive for
potential harmful substance exposures are handled
in the home.
If you suspect that someone's life is
in danger following a harmful substance exposure,
call 9-1-1
immediately.
Swallowed
Poison
Medicine: Do not give anything
by mouth until calling for advise.
Chemical or Household Products:
Unless patient is unconscious, having
convulsions, or cannot swallow, give small sips of
milk or water immediately, then call for
professional advise about whether you should
make the patient vomit or not.
Always keep on hand at home a one
ounce bottle of Syrup of Ipecac (available without
a prescription). Use only on advise of the
Poison Control Center, emergency department, or
physician.
Poison
in the Eye
Flood the eye with lukewarm water poured
from a large glass 2 or 3 inches from the eye.
Have the patient blink as much as possible while
flooding the eye. Do
not force the eyelid open.
Poison
on the Skin
Remove contaminated clothing and flood
skin with water for 10 minutes. Then wash
gently with soap and water rinse. Exception:
Dry lime. Brush off first, then flush with
water.
Inhaled
Poison
Immediately get the person to fresh air.
Avoid breathing fumes. Open doors and
windows wide.
Remember, keep your local poison control
center number near your telephone, along with the
other emergency numbers.
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