Poison prevention

Every day, more than 300 children in the United States are treated in an emergency department as a result of being poisoned, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children younger than 6 comprise nearly half of all poison exposures, with the highest number of incidences occurring in one- and two-year-olds. Here are several tips to prevent poison exposure from Safe Kids Mid-South at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital.

How to Store Household Products Safely

1. Put household cleaning products up and away, out of children’s reach and sight. Make sure to put cleanings supplies away after every use.
2. Keep all household cleaning products in their original containers. When buying products, look for child-resistant containers for an extra layer of protection.
3. Remember products that might be harmful to kids. Check your home for products like cleaning supplies, liquid laundry packets, plants, pesticides, alcohol, medicine. Keep personal care products such as lotion, makeup, cleanser and deodorant where kids can’t get into them.

Check Your Purse for Potential Hazards

1. Be aware of any medications or makeup that may be in your handbag. Store handbags out of the reach of young children.

How to Use Household Products Safely

1. Read and follow product labels. Check for ingredients that can be harmful to kids and make sure you use and store products according to the label. Kids can get into things quickly, so remember not to leave cleaning products or personal care products unattended while you are using them.
2. Throw away old products. Check your bathroom, garage and other storage areas in your home for products you no longer need.

Check for Potential Poisons in Your Home

1. Check homes built before 1978 for lead-based paint. If lead hazards are identified, call the National Lead Information Center (1-800-424-5323) for detailed information.
2. Check recalls.govfor more info on product recalls involving lead-based products. Follow the recommendations to get rid of any products like toys or cookware that contain lead.
3. Install carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Make sure there is one on every level of your home, especially around sleeping areas. If the CO alarm sounds, leave your home immediately and move to a safe location outside where you can breathe in fresh air before you call for help.

What to Do in a Poison Emergency

1. Save the Poison Help number in your phone and post it visibly at home: 1-800-222-1222. The Poison Help line is not just for emergencies. You can call this free, 24-hour, confidential phone line with questions about how to take or give medicine, concerns about plants, chemicals, carbon monoxide, bites, stings and more.

Share Poison Prevention Information

1. Share the Poison Help number with others. Post the Poison Help number visibly in your home so other caregivers can find it in an emergency and encourage them to save the number in their phones. For more poison prevention information, visit the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

Local number in case there is an emergency:

Police Department/Fire Department: Call 9-1-1

Tennessee Poison Hotline 24/7: 1-800-222-1222