PREVENTION TIPS
WHAT IS A POISON
Millions of people are unintentionally poisoned every year. A poison is any substance that can cause an unintended symptom.
Poisons come in four different forms.
 | Solid Poisons - medicine, plants,
powders (like laundry soap and automatic dishwasher detergent), granular pesticides and
fertilizers. |
| Liquid Poisons - lotion, liquid
laundry soap, furniture polish, lighter fluid and syrup medicines (liquids may be thick or
thin). Pay special attention to liquids--a large quantity can be swallowed in a short
period of time and they are absorbed rapidly. |
| Sprays - insecticides, spray paint
and some cleaning products. Aerosol sprays may be flammable, explode and cause damage to
the heart and lungs if inhaled. |
| Invisible Poisons - Gases or vapors. Carbon monoxide from hot water heaters and furnaces, exhaust fumes from automobiles, fumes from gas or oil burning stoves, and industrial pollution in the air. |
If A Poisoning Occurs
1. First of all, remain calm!
2. Call the Poison Control Center or your doctor. Have the following information ready:
| Child's condition |
| Name of the product and ingredients |
| How much of the product was taken |
| Time poisoning happened |
| Your name and phone number |
| Age of the poisoned child |
| Weight of the poisoned child |
3. The Poison Control Center or doctor will tell you what to do next.
4. Be sure you know how to give first aid if a poisoning occurs.
Did you know that…?
| Every 30 seconds a child is poisoned in the United
States. Sixty percent of all poisonings occur to children under the age of six. Many
poisonings occur when the daily household routine has been disrupted. An example of this
would be having a babysitter. The most common products involved in poisonings are drugs
(prescription and over-the- counter), household and chemical products, plants and
cosmetics. Be aware that childproof caps are not really CHILD PROOF.
They are only child resistant and if a child is given enough time they will open the
container. |
| Keep in mind that products may have incorrect or out-of-date first aid instructions. It is very important to call the Poison Control Center or a doctor right away. In addition, you may contact your local Poison Control Center to obtain poison prevention materials that may include additional inforamtion on emergency management.. |
Contact your Regional Poison Control Center
| If you would like more information or would like a telephone sticker and Emergency Action Card, contact your local Poison Control Center. There may also be a babysitter course offered in your area. |
WHY CALL THE POISON CONTROL CENTER?
1. Poison Control Centers are staffed with pharmacists and registered nurses, and they are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They give emergency information and may refer you to a hospital or doctor's office, but most poisonings can be treated at home.
There is no charge for calling the Poison Control
2. Specialists in Poison Information can provide treatment recommendations for a variety of questions concerning:
· Treatment for poisoning
· Bites and stings
· Food poisoning
· Occupational poisoning
· Drug overdose
· Pill identification
· Plants
· Drug interactions and adverse reactions
· Animal poisoning
· Poison prevention
· Public education programs
· Others