Children and Poisons

Poison

Nearly 2.5 million people reported an unintentional exposure to poison in 2006. And while more than half of those involved children under 6, it is a testament to poison prevention campaigns, child resistant caps and other measures instituted over the past decade that children accounted for just over 2 percent of 1,229 total unintentional poisoning fatalities (51 percent of 2,403,539 reported exposures).

Children’s exposure to poison most often involves common at-home substances, like drugs, pesticides and cleaning products. Of the exposures reported in 2006, 93 percent took place in a home.

Generally, there are four forms of poisons:

  • Solids (medicine pills, powders, granular pesticides, etc.)
  • Liquids (soap, furniture polish, lighter fluid, syrup medicines, lotions, etc.)
  • Sprays (spray paint, insecticides, cleaning products, etc.)
  • Gas (carbon monoxide, air pollution, gas fumes, etc.)

While some sources of poisonings have obvious risks, others are less recognized. Some less obvious poisons include adhesives and glues; arts, crafts, and office supplies; batteries; cosmetics and personal care; deodorizers; paints and stripping agents; pharmaceuticals and vitamins; plants; and tobacco products.

Pesticides are found in about 80 percent of American households. Pesticides include any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying or mitigating pests. Misuse, especially when pesticides are inappropriately applied or in the wrong quantity, can cause illness, injury and even death.

Many people assume that household-use pesticides and other poisonous products are safe to use because they are readily available at retail stores. This is not necessarily the case. Most unintentional poisonings are preventable, however. It is critical to follow label directions for all products, including medication dosages and proper storage of potentially toxic products.

Following are tips for keeping children safe:

  • Keep the nationwide poison control center's number (1-800-222-1222) and your doctor's phone number handy.
  • If a household chemical has been ingested, call the poison control center (1-800-222-1222) immediately. Have the label ready when you call. Induce vomiting only if a physician or a poison control center instructs you to do so.
  • Keep products in original containers with labels and out of children’s reach. (Even if you don't have small children, this can be important; many poisonings occur in homes that children visit.)
  • Get down to a child’s height and evaluate potential hazards from that perspective.
  • Make sure children wash hands after using the bathroom and before eating.
  • If your children are in day care, check where the day care provider keeps cleaning products, medicines and other potentially hazardous products. Make sure these products are locked up and out of children's reach.
  • Use hazardous products away from children, toys, food, and pets, as directed.
  • Properly dispose of unused or unnecessary household products and unused or expired medicines.
  • Check playground equipment where your children play to be sure that none of the wood has been treated with potentially hazardous chemicals.