How to Prevent Child Poisoning at Home

Poisoning in children is a very serious case which can lead to death. Exercising caution and possessing adequate knowledge on how to prevent child poisoning at home is very important. Kids can accidentally get poisoned with substances and items at home such as cleaning products, medicines, drugs, vitamins, alcohol, paint, and even plants. Practice the following steps to prevent your child from getting poisoned at home.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Right knowledge

1. Always buy medicines and vitamins with childproof caps then store them out of your child’s reach. If you have visitors coming over to your house, ask if they have any medicines. Put these medicines out of your child’s reach as well.

2. Never ever tell children that medicine is candy. Always refer to medicine as “medicine” and let your child know what it is for and the danger that comes with it when it is improperly used.

3. Make sure to read labels carefully before giving your child his medicine. This prevents accidental overdose or giving the wrong medicine to the child.

4. Store all cleaning products and other poisonous substances in locked cabinets. Do not keep soap, shampoos, cleaning products, or anything with chemicals in it under the kitchen or bathroom sink. If you don’t have any other place to store these items, make sure to put childproof lock on the cabinet to keep your kids from accessing them.

5. Keep things in their original containers with labels so you will know what is stored in a specific container. Never put poisonous substances in food jars or bottle. Lock them away in a safe place out of sight from kids.

6. Do not let your children peel off old paint from surfaces in your home. They may accidentally eat the paint and get lead poisoning.

7. Never mix cleaning products together like bleach and ammonia because it can give off a poison gas that can make people in your household including children very sick.

8. Keep your child away when using chemicals inside the house. Some chemicals have very strong fumes that are harmful to kids. Children could also touch and eat those chemicals and poison themselves when you are not looking.

9. Do not let your child near plants unless you are sure they are not poisonous. Your child can get poisoned if he eats certain plants inside and outside your home.

Tips & Warnings

• If you think your child has swallowed a poison, stay calm and contact 911 or a Poison Control Center right away at 1-800-222-1222. This number that can be used anywhere in the USA. Keep it next to your phone so you can find it when you need it most.

Resources

• National Capital Poison Center

[highcloud]

on 10/4/2009 Excellent job. I will use these tips to keep my grandson safe when he is older and can visit my home. Thanks for sharing. 5*

[gahazeleyes]

on 7/16/2009 Very informative. Thanks for sharing good information.

[SeemissesG]

on 7/14/2009 Excellent read for how to Prevent Child Poisoning at Home. This article can save a child's life! Thank you for sharing. 5*

[Miri]

on 7/3/2009 Bravo! How to Prevent child Poisoing at Home is great information.

[ljstraight]

on 6/23/2009 Great thoughtful advice. 5 stars