Do You Know Your Poison Risks?

Poison control centers across the U.S. report about two million unintentional poisonings per year.

Kids face an increased risk of accidental poisoning in the home—they’re smaller, have faster metabolic rates and their bodies tend to be less able to handle toxic chemicals. Parents with young children know that the chance of something within reach going in the child’s mouth are more than high.

We know kids are at risk, but here’s a poisoning fact that may surprise you: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that among people 35 to 54 years old, unintentional poisoning causes more deaths than motor vehicle crashes. That’s right, adults risk unintentional poisoning too and any substance can be poisonous if enough is taken.

Here are some vital tips to help make sure you or a member of your family never face a frightening poisoning incident at home.

To help kids avoid poison-risks:

- Do not refer to medicine as “candy” or take medicine in front of young children, who often copy adults.

- If you take regular medicine, never leave your next dose lying around on a counter or table within reach of children.

- Always dispose of medication properly. Crush pills and mix with kitty litter, coffee grounds or another inedible substance and place in a sealable plastic bag in the trash.

Adults can help avoid poison-risks by:

- Never giving or taking medicines in the dark. Taking medicine in the dark can be deadly, make sure you clearly verify you’ve got the right medicine and the right amount before distributing or ingesting it.

- Always properly disposing of expired or unused prescription drugs. Doing so eliminates possible confusion with medicines that might look virtually identical.

- Never use food containers such as jars, cups or Tupperware to store chemical products—keep all cleaning and beauty products in their original containers.


Take time to poison-proof your home, to keep your kids and yourself safe.
 

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