Poison Prevention
How to prevent exposure to a poison:
1. Keep all medications and possibly harmful substances LOCKED, where children cannot get them. Examples to remember:
- Medicines, (both prescription and over the counter)
- Alcohol
- Cleaning supplies (detergent, bleach, drain cleaners, etc.)
- Vitamins, especially with iron
- Turpentine
- Kerosene
- Furniture polish
- Paint
- Garden products (insecticides, fertilizer, etc.)
2. Keep medications in containers with child-resistant caps
3. Discard half-used/old medicine
- Flush down the toilet
- Rinse out bottles, if liquid medicine
4. Do not take medicine in front of small children (they often try to imitate adults)
5. Check label and dose each time you give medicine (turn the light on, read carefully)
6. NEVER call medicine candy
7. Keep all products in original containers
8. Choose non-poisonous plants
9. Keep poisonous plants out of reach of children
10. Obtain “plant poisoning prevention guide” from the poison control center (1-800-452-7165)
11. Keep a small bottle of syrup of IPECAC ready (locked, out of children’s reach)
- This will make your child vomit
- Use IPECAC only with the advice of the POISON CENTER
- Available without prescription at most pharmacies
- Replace supply if date on bottle is expired
12. Keep POISON CENTER phone number near all your phones and instruct babysitters about it.
Other Resources
