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Pesticide Safety for Home Gardening

Friday, May 23, 2003

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - Gardeners with children should pay particularly attention to proper use of pesticides. The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports that in 2002, poison centers received more than 96,000 calls regarding exposure to pesticides—more than half involving children under age six. The Oklahoma Poison Control Center reported more than 2,300 calls in 2002 about pesticide poisoning exposures. More than 1,000 of these calls were exposures in children under the age of six.



Pesticides are, of course, designed to eliminate insects and rodents. The chemicals used to accomplish this may be dangerous to humans and pets as well if used incorrectly. The rules of thumb for safe handling of pesticides include:



When Buying Pesticides:

• Choose the right pesticide for the job.


• Buy and use only legally sold EPA-registered pesticides.

When Using Pesticides:

• Carefully follow all instructions on the container.


• Wear protective clothing, mask, and eye protection when spraying.


• Choose a calm, wind-free day.


• Do not spray near children and pets, and keep them away from treated areas.


• Follow the restricted time for reentering an area after a pesticide has been applied.

After Using Pesticides:

• Wash hands and face thoroughly after applying pesticides. Launder clothing.


• Keep pesticides locked up, out of sight and reach of children and pets.


• Keep the pesticide stored in its original container—do not transfer a pesticide to a food or drink container.


• Store pesticides away from food, including pet food.


• Dispose of empty pesticide containers and unused pesticides properly.

In Case of Poisoning:

• Call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222 immediately if a pesticide comes in contact with skin, is inhaled, or is swallowed.


• If possible, have the container with you when calling.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers and your local Oklahoma Poison Control Center urges gardeners to be safe and to keep the poison emergency hotline number, 1-800-222-1222, near all telephones. Safe practices are what make gardening a relaxing and rewarding hobby.



Pharmacists and registered nurses at the Oklahoma Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) are available to answer questions about pesticides and pesticide safety, and to provide poison education materials like brochures and stickers. Poison experts are available round-the-clock, seven days a week.



Poison information is also available at the AAPCC Web site, www.1-800-222-1222.info and the Oklahoma Poison Control Center web site at www.oklahomapoison.org. The Oklahoma Poison Control Center is a program of the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy and the Children’s Hospital at OU MEDICAL CENTER.



For more information: Chris Falk, AAPCC Media Director, at falk@poison.org 202/363-7657 or Tracy McKeown, Education Coordinator, at tracy-mckeown@ouhsc.edu

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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.