Several everyday household products contain poisonous substances that could be harmful to you and those you love. From laundry detergent to nail polish remover, there are likely many common products in your home that could be dangerous if ingested or exposed to the skin.
Some of the most common household poisons include:
Although you may come into contact with these substances daily, there are ways to prevent household poisons from negatively affecting your health. One of the first preventative steps you can take to ensure the health of all those in your home is to learn how to properly handle household poisons. You may also want to talk to family members about what to do in case of an emergency.
If you're aware that something in your house is poisonous, it's important to be cautious when handling it. Aside from keeping household poisons out of reach from children and away from pets, it's also important to:
It's important to be able to recognize the symptoms of poisoning. Though symptoms of poisoning can vary, in most cases, they can be easily detected. If someone in your home ingests a poison, seek immediate help.
Some common symptoms of poisoning are:
If you or someone you know is showing these symptoms — particularly if they have recently come into contact with a poisonous substance — get them treatment right away. If symptoms seem severe, the person is going into a seizure, or the symptoms persist and seem to worsen, call 911.
In the event of poisoning, you can also call the Poison Control Center. They may recommend some basic home treatment, such as:
Health-Care-Clinic. (n. d.). Poisoning from household chemicals. Retrieved May 18, 2010, from http://www.health-care-clinic.org/first-aid/poisoning-household-chemicals.html.
National AG Safety Database. (n. d.). Symptoms and first aid for poisonings. Retrieved from http://nasdonline.org/document/977/d000817/symptoms-and-first-aid-for-poisonings.html.
Stason. (n. d.). 47 poisonous household items. Retrieved May 18, 2010, from http://stason.org/TULARC/animals/dogs/medical-information/47-Poisonous-Household-Items.html.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Prevent poisonings in your home. Retrieved June 10, 2010, from http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/health/poisonprevention.htm.
Tree.com provides information on health-related topics, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Please consult your physician if you have questions or concerns.