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Ten Tips To Poison-Proof Your Home

Poisoning is the leading cause of injury-related death in America. Here are some startling statistics from the latest report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers:

  • In just one single year, they managed 2.9 million cases.
  • 2.2 million of those cases involved people who came into contact with dangerous or potentially dangerous substances.
  • Just under half of their exposure cases involved children under the age of six.

Many of these poisoning cases could have been prevented and in this article, we’ll share ways of how you can protect your family and pets.

How Do People Get Poisoned?

In the latest report, they give us the top twelve substance categories most frequently involved in human exposures:

  1. Analgesics (pain killers) (11.29% of all calls)
  2. Cosmetics/Personal Care Products (toothpaste, lotion,
    mouthwash, deodorant) (7.73%)
  3. Cleaning Substances (household) (7.68%)
  4. Sedatives/Hypnotics/Antipsychotics (5.85%)
  5. Antidepressants (4.36%)
  6. Antihistamines (4.01%)
  7. Cardiovascular drugs (3.96%)
  8. Foreign Bodies/Toys/Miscellaneous (3.87%)
  9. Pesticides (3.22%)
  10. Topical Preparations (for pain relief, acne, etc.)
    (3.21%)
  11. Alcohol (rubbing, drinking or wood alcohols) (2.66%)
  12. Vitamins (2.56%)

Ten Tips To Poison-Proof Your Home

  • Keep 1-800-222-1222 on or near all phones, and in your cell phone. It’s the fast, free, private and 24/7 poison center helpline.
  • Keep cosmetics, personal care products, prescription and over-the-counter medicines, cleaning products, dietary supplements and vitamins, pesticides and lighter fluid, in a locked cabinet or out of reach. Be sure household plants are also out of reach.
  • Always keep cleaning products, gasoline, lighter fluid, antifreeze, paint and paint thinners in the containers they came in.
  • Never put something that is not food in a food or beverage container, such as a soda bottle, cup or glass.
  • Do not store food and household cleaners in the same cabinet; they often look alike.
  • If you are a grandparent visiting or caring for little ones, put purses or bags that might contain your medication where a child can’t reach.
  • Put smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home, make sure they work and change the batteries every six months.
  • Never call medicine candy.
  • Do not take medicine in front of children; they love to do what adults do.
  • Objects that use small batteries, like toys or remotes, should be kept out of reach of young children. Disc batteries are both poisonous and a choking hazard.

These are easy to follow tips and we highly recommend you go through your home and look for any potential causes of poisonings. If you see a potential problem, you need to correct it immediately.

If you ever suspect a poisoning, call the California Poison Control system at (800) 222-1222. They can be reached at anytime and any place in California. They have pharmacists, physicians, nurses and information providers on stand-by. Language interpreters are always available, too.