Spotlight Topic
The spotlight topic for the month of March is Poison Prevention.
What is a Poison
A poison is any substance that can cause an unintended symptom.
Four poison forms:
1. Solid poisons - medicine, plants, powders (i.e. laundry soap &
automatic diswasher detergent), granular pesticides, and fertilizers.
2. 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 quanity can be swallowed in a short period
of time and they are absorbed rapidly.
3. Sprays - insecticides, spray paint, and some cleaning products.
Aerosol sprays may be flammable, explode and cause damage to the
heart and lungs in inhaled.
4. 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 air pollution.
Poison Prevention Tips
Storage Tips
- Store medicines and products in their original containers.
- Lock medicines and household products where children cannot see or
reach them.
- Use child-resistant packaging. Replace the caps tightly.
- Store household products in a different place from food and medicine.
- Keep purses and briefcases out of children's reach.
Prevent Poisoning from Medicines
- Read the label before taking or giving medicine.
- Use medicine only as directed by your doctor of the label.
- Call medicine by its proper name, not "candy".
- Take medicine in a place where children cannot watch because children
learn by imitating adults.
Prevent Poisoning from Products and Plants
- Use household products according to label directions. Mixing household
products can cause dangerous gases to form.
- Keep house plants out of children's reach. Even if the plants are not
poisonous, they might cause choking.
Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Keep appliances, furnaces, fireplaces, and wood-burning stoves in good
repair.
- Install a carbon monoxide detector.
General Poison Prevention Tips
- When answering the phone or the door, take open products or your
poisoned child with you.
- National Capital Poison Center 1-800-222-1222
- Be sure that your home where your child spends time is poison
proofed.
If a Poisoning Occurs
1. Remain calm
2. Call the poison control center or your doctor and 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.