Overall, around 24 million people call poison control centers every year. Although most of these accidental poisonings do not turn out to be serious, it illustrates just how common accidental poisonings in kids actually are.
Keep Your Home Poison Safe by Following These Simple Tips
General
- Install safety latches on cupboards for harmful products.
- Keep all products in original containers.
- Keep ashtrays empty and out of the reach of children (better yet, don’t allow smoking in or around your home).
- Keep alcoholic beverages out of the reach of children.
- Program the number for poison control in your cell phone and post it in your house—1-800-222-1222.
Kitchen
- Move cleaning products from under the sink to upper shelves or locked cabinets.
- Remove medicines including vitamins from countertops, windowsills and open areas.
- Store all household products away from food items.
Bathroom
- Keep all medicines, cosmetics, perfumes, mouthwashes, etc., out of sight and reach of children- or lock them up!
- Move drain and toilet bowl cleaners, etc., from under the sink to upper shelves of locked cabinets.
- Dispose of outdated medications appropriately.
Bedroom
- Remove medicines from dresser or bedside table.
- Keep perfumes, nail polish removers and powders out of reach of children.
- Know the names of the plants in your home. Keep them out of the reach of children and pets.
Laundry Area
- Keep all bleaches, soap, and detergents, out of reach of children or in a locked cabinet.
- If you use detergent packets, be sure they are stored out of reach.
Garage/Basement
- Keep insect sprays, weed killers and fertilizers in locked storage.
- Keep turpentine, paints, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, rust removers, and motor oils in locked storage.
- Keep products in their original container with original labels.
