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Tips on Poison Prevention from the Oklahoma Poison Control Center

Sunday, April 01, 2001

The Oklahoma Poison Control Center urges Oklahomans to assist in promoting public awareness of poison prevention during National Poison Prevention Week, March 18 –24. This year’s theme is "Put Poison’s Up and Away", as depicted on a poster where Josh Heupel is holding poisons up and away from a group of children.

Everyone, not just parents are encourages to take a moment to poison- proof their homes. It only takes a second for children to get into something that could hurt them. Cleaning supplies, medicines, vitamins, peroxide hair preparations, nail polish remover, plants, care chemicals or product and pesticides can be dangerous is left within the reach of a child. Please keep in mind these tips to help keep your children safe and to prevent accidental poisonings:

• Know which products are poisonous - something as common as mouthwash can be harmful if a large amount is swallowed.
  
• Keep poisonous products out of reach. Storing potentially harmful products out of sight and locked in cabinets with safety locks is one of the best way to prevent poisonings.
  
• Throw away old medicines and other potential poisons on a regular basis by flushing them down the toilet. Check your garage, basement and other storage areas for cleaning and work supplies not used or needed.
  
• Get down on your hands and knees to view the home from a child’s perspective. From this vantage point you can better spot hazardous products that children can easily see and reach.
  
• Stay alert while using poisonous products. Many poisonings occur while adults are using a household product such as a bathroom cleanser or bleach. Know where children are while using these products, and never leave a child alone in a room with them. It takes only a second for a poisoning to occur.
  
• Never refer to medicine as candy. Doing so could create the perception that it is harmless. Since children also mimic adults, avoid taking medications in front of them. Vitamins, particularly those containing iron, can be poisonous if taken in large doses.
  
• Don’t take medicine in front of children – they like to imitate.
  
• Beware of certain cosmetics and personal products. In addition to medicines, children may be tempted to taste cosmetics and personal-care products. Store items such as aftershave, cologne, perfume, hair spray, shampoo, and fingernail polish remover out of reach.
  
• Keep products in original containers. Never put them in anything else, where they could be mistaken for something harmless.
  
• Ask for and buy child-resistant packaging. Child-resistant caps do not guarantee children cannot open them, but can slow them down.
  
• Keep plants out of reach. Learn which ones are poisonous and either remove them or make them inaccessible to children. Teach children not to ever eat mushrooms or taste leaves, stems, bark, seeds, nuts, or berries from a plant.
  
• Teach grandparents, babysitters, and any other caretakers about poison prevention. Poison proof any place you child visits. Visitor’s purses or diaper bags should also be stored up and away from children.
  
• Always read the label before giving medicine or using chemicals. Check with other caregivers to avoid double doses.
  
• Keep the poison control number, syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal any place your child visits.

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The Oklahoma Poison Control Center web site is provided free of charge to the public as an informational and educational tool. This web site is NOT intended as a substitute for a consultation with the Oklahoma Poison Control Center. The center is a statewide program operated by The University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy in cooperation with Children's Hospital at the OU Medical Center. Our pharmacists and nurses are specially trained poison experts available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.