Poisoning Prevention and Safety

Every 13 seconds, the United States Poison Control Center receives a phone call regarding someone being poisoned. The center also reports that more than 70,000 of the calls it receives are about household poisons, such as pesticides.

We interact with poisonous substances every day. Without proper knowledge of household poison safety, you or someone you love may be harmed. Knowing about common household poisons and following simple poison prevention tips can lower your risk of being exposed to a poisonous substance.

Common Household Poisons

The first step in preventing poisoning is to be aware of what substances in your home can cause harm. Among the most common household poisons are:

• Bath and kitchen disinfectant, such as bleach
• Car products, such as antifreeze and windshield washer fluid
• Health and beauty products, such as nail polish remover
• Household cleaning products, such as drain cleaner
• Insect repellents
• Products used to kill mold.

Although these products are considered safe when used properly, they can be dangerous if ingested, sniffed or exposed to the skin for a prolonged period. It may not be practical, or even necessary, to avoid these products altogether, but it is a good idea to follow some basic poison safety tips when handling them.

Poison Prevention Tips

Poisoning prevention and safety is essential in any home, particularly if you have children or pets. You may want to teach your family — particularly children — some basic poison prevention tips, so that each person knows what she can do to stay safe. Poison prevention tips include:

• Never leave poisonous products unattended.
• Properly dispose of any old cleaning products, expired medicines or other common household poisons.
• Read all directions on medicines and other potentially poisonous products. Be sure to read any poison safety tips that come with the product.
• Store all cleaning and car products in a locked cabinet that is out of the reach of children and pets.
• Use safe cleaning products, if possible. Products with the Design for the Environment (DfE) label are often safe.

You may also wish to post the Poison Control Center's national hotline number (1-800-222-1222) next to your phone.

By keeping these poison prevention tips in mind, you can make sure your home and family are safe. Poison safety tips can prevent accidents and health problems from happening.

Resources

Home Safety Council. (n.d.). Poison prevention tips. Retrieved May 24, 2010, from http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/SafetyGuide/sg_poison_w001.asp.

Poison Prevention. (2010). Home safety. Retrieved May 24, 2010, from http://homesafetycouncil.org/AboutUs/HSLP/hslp_materials_w004.asp.

Safe Kids. (n. d.). Poison prevention. Retrieved May 24, 2010, http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-resources-by-risk-area/poison/.

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Prevent poisonings in your home. Retrieved May 24, 2010, from http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/health/poisonprevention.htm.