Prevention of an accidental poisonings can save lives, spare health, and save money. Children between ages 1 and 6 are the most frequent victims of accidental poisoning. Many of these incidents can be prevented if appropriate steps are taken to "poison proof" your home. Even with a "poison-proofed" home, you still need to be very careful when children visit homes or environments which have not been evaluated for poison safety. Search in each area of your home listed below for products accessible to children. Use safety closures (child resistant caps) wherever possible, but don't depend on these alone to prevent accidents.
There will be occasions when grandparents will be caring for a child in their home. When you have a child in your home, it is essential that you make your home a poison-safe environment. Many elderly people will have the pharmacist use "easy to remove" caps for their medications. Be sure to lock all medications in cabinet, especially medications that do not have child-resistant closures. Be prepared ahead of time, for an emergency that may occur when your grandchildren are in your home. Keep an updated information form near all phones, for each child that you are caring for.
Whether you are babysitting a child in your home or at the child’s home, it is essential to know the vital statistics in case a poisoning or accident occurs and you need to seek medical help. Make your home a poison-safe home. Check any room the child will have access to while in your home. If you have teenage children, make sure their rooms are off limits to the child. Children are very curious and will be attracted to hair sprays, colognes, deodorants and cosmetics that can be found in teenage bedrooms. Keep an updated information form near each phone, for each child you are babysitting.
Common household cleaning products are the number one cause of accidental poisoning in children.
Many chemicals used to control insects, rodents and weeds are as toxic to humans as they are to their intended victims. When ingested or inhaled in very small amounts, most are capable of producing illness.
Prevention is the key to avoiding accidental exposure to these products. Keep all chemicals and cleaning products out of the reach of children. Avoid using products that require leaving powder or pellets in areas where pets or children may have access to them (kitchen, garage, yard).
Children should be kept out of the area when insecticides and garden chemicals are being sprayed. Read and follow the instructions on the label carefully. Always store products in their original containers.
food
Food poisoning is most commonly caused by contamination of the food with bacteria from the improper storage of food, thawing foods at room temperature or contact with dirty utensils, work areas or unwashed hands. Symptoms are usually limited to vomiting and/or diarrhea and generally occur within six to eight hours of ingestion (possibly longer). If vomiting and/or diarrhea occur, fluids are often recommended to prevent dehydration. Mild food poisoning may be managed at home, but more severe cases often require medical attention.
food safety
Counter tops, utensils and hands should be washed with warm, soapy water prior to and after food preparation.
Thaw meat and poultry in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.
Avoid leaving perishable food out of the refrigerator for more than two hours.
Do not use canned foods with bulging lids, cracks or dents.
Thoroughly cook all meat, poultry, seafood and eggs.
Keep picnic foods in an ice chest or cooler, out of direct sunlight, until serving time.
Some Easter egg dyes are made with potentially poisonous ingredients. When buying a kit for dying eggs, choose one labeled NON-TOXIC. Children often mistake the colored tablets or liquid dyes as candy or flavored drinks. Always supervise children when dying eggs -- regardless of whether the dyes are toxic or not.
Many snakes and insects in the north Florida area bite or sting, but only a few are considered dangerous to man. Immediately call your Poison Information Center if you suspect you have been bitten by any of the species listed below.
Coral snakes are characterized by bands of black, red and yellow. They are the most poisonous snake in North America, and can be found in any habitat.
Pigmy Rattlesnakes, usually 12 to 24 inches long, are dark gray with gray-brown circular markings on the back.
Cottonmouths (Water Moccasins) are water snakes that grow up to five feet in length. They are olive brown to black in color and rarely bite unless provoked or stepped on.
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes are up to eight feet long with yellow-brown diamonds down the back. Commonly found in pine flatwoods near wet areas.
Brown Recluse Spiders are yellow-orange to brown with a violin shaped markings on the quarter-sized body. They hide in bathroom closets, over door frames and in corners.
Black Widow Spiders are easily identified by a shiny black (or brown), body with a red hourglass on the underbelly. They prefer dark, quiet places like garages, meter boxes or furniture.
Applied externally to deter insects (mosquitos, fleas, mites, ticks, flies) from biting.
A common ingredient in insect repellents is "DEET" (strengths range from 14 to 100%). Choose a product with less than 30 percent concentration for children (NOT the higher strengths).
Read directions carefully. Some repellents are meant to be applied to clothing, tents, screens and bedrolls ONLY.
Apply to all exposed skin. To apply repellent to the face, spray on hands and rub onto face, being careful to avoid the eyes and mouth. DO NOT spray on children's hands because they may rub their eyes or mouths.
Repeated applications may be dangerous. If you need to reapply, wash with soap and water prior to repeating application.
Wash all sprayed areas with soap and water when indoors where repellent is no longer necessary.
petroleum products
Petroleum products include gasoline, kerosene, motor oils, paint thinners, furniture polishes and mineral oils. Turpentine and pine oil, although not petroleum-based, are closely related products.
If ingested, they can get into the lungs, causing coughing, difficulty breathing and lung damage. They can also cause vomiting and sleepiness.
Petroleum products are extremely dangerous. If your child ingests any petroleum product, call the Poison Information Center BEFORE doing anything else. DO NOT attempt to force the child to vomit.
mushrooms
It often takes an expert to tell a safe mushroom from a poisonous mushroom. A mushroom cannot be judged safe by whether animals eat it or by seeing the area in which it grows. Cooking often does not make a poisonous mushroom safe to eat. Children are fascinated with mushrooms and may think that because some mushrooms can be eaten, ALL mushrooms are safe to eat.
ALL wild mushrooms ingested by children should be considered potentially dangerous.
Many common species of mushrooms are capable of causing poisoning or even death.
If your child eats a wild mushroom, contact the local Poison Information Center for advice. If the patient must go to the hospital, be prepared to take a sample of the mushroom with them.
Can be produced by car and truck exhaust leaks, improperly working furnaces, gas-fueled hot water heaters or wood stoves, or by burning charcoal indoors. Also can be produced by attempting to heat a home with a gas stove or oven. Carbon Monoxide is colorless and odorless.
Symptoms may resemble the flu- headache and nausea, sleepiness and vomiting.
Tastes sweet. Children or pets will drink large amounts that have been left in open containers or spilled on the pavement.
Most products contain ethylene glycol. If swallowed, this chemical can cause severe illness and can lead to death.
pesticides
Always keep pesticides in their original containers and store them out of reach and sight of children.
Read labels carefully and follow directions for their use. Do not follow "What to do for poisonings" on the label, as this information may be old, and possibly dangerous. Call the Poison Center for advice.
If pesticides get on the skin or in the eyes, rinse for 15 minutes with lukewarm water. Call the Poison Center.
Gardeners recommend using large amounts of fertilizers in the fall. If eaten, fertilizer can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Fertilizer dust or particles are irritating to the eyes. Flush the eye with water for fifteen minutes.
Keep children and pets out of the area when using fertilizer.
halloween safety tips
Check all treats thoroughly before allowing children to eat them.
Some treats, chocolate for example, may be poisonous to pets.
Watch wrappers for holes, tears, signs of rewrapping or tampering.
Throw away all unwrapped candy or fruits.
Be watchful of glow sticks and jewelry. Should one break, avoid skin contact and ingestion of liquid.
Keep face painting materials out of reach of small children. Avoid getting in eyes.
Wear light-colored clothing short enough to prevent tripping; apply reflective tape for added safety.
Make sure children can see well enough through face masks to prevent accidental falls or encounters with moving vehicles. Better yet, use make-up instead.
Adults should accompany young children while "trick-or-treating."
Go out in daylight if possible. Carry a flashlight if you will "trick-or-treat" in darkness.
Stay within your neighborhood and only visit homes you know.
Watch carefully for traffic.
Only give and accept wrapped or packaged candy.
Keep costumed children away from pets. The pet may not recognize the child and become frightened or aggressive.
Avoid hard plastic or wood props such as daggers or swords. Substitute foam rubber or other material which is soft and flexible.
Children's medicines are often pleasant tasting. They may, therefore, drink or eat large amounts!
May contain antihistamines, decongestants or cough suppressants, which can cause either drowsiness or extreme agitation (excitement) in children based on the product ingested.
Many contain aspirin, acetaminophen or alcohol in addition to ingredients specifically for cough or other cold symptoms. The alcohol in these products, if ingested in large quantities, may cause drunkenness and a decrease in blood sugar (which can lead to seizures in children).
aspirin and non-aspirin pain relievers
Come in many strengths (child and adult) and forms (chewable tablets, pills, liquids).
Follow label directions for dosage very carefully. Do not exceed the recommended amount without contacting your doctor. If your child's age is not listed on the label, follow your doctors advice.
antibiotics
May be harmful if taken in large amounts. May cause an allergic reaction in some patients.
You should never use antibiotics prescribed for a specific patient to treat different infections occuring later on, or an infection in a different person..
Many antibiotics require storage in the refrigerator where children can easily get to them. Place them in a paper bag and seal with masking tape or put the bottle in a plastic container with a tight lid.
vitamins
Multi-colored, flavored chewable vitamins in various animal shapes are popular with children.
Iron is present in many children's and adult vitamins and can be very dangerous if taken in excess.
Vitamins should be treated like any medicine; locked up and out of sight! Never refer to vitamins as "candy."
glass thermometers
Sometimes the thermometer can break in a child's mouth. Remove any visible glass or mercury and inspect for cuts in the mouth.
Mercury in thermometers is not a form that can be absorbed and should pass in the stool several days later.
Give a glass of water or milk and call the Poison Center.
holiday hazards
Plants
Mistletoe, Poinsettia, Christmas Berry, Christmas Rose, Holly, Bayberry and Jerusalem Cherry are all commonly used for decorations during the holidays. Like many plants, all of these are considered potentially poisonous and should be kept out of reach of children. Symptoms for plant poisoning can range from rashes to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Decorations
Bubble lights containing methylene chloride can be poisonous if a child drinks the fluid from more than one light (even if labeled non-toxic).
Snow sprays may be harmful if the aerosol propellants are used improperly.
Christmas tree needles can cause painful cuts in the mouth and throat when swallowed.
Angel hair (made from finely spun glass) and ornament hangers may cause cuts or irritation.
Tree ornaments, icicles and tinsel may block the airway or cause choking.
Alcohol
Alcohol poisoning is a common risk for children during the holiday season. Many families host holiday parties where alcohol is served.
Take care to remove ALL empty and partially empty cups as soon as possible.
Store alcohol in a locked cabinet out of reach and sight of children.
Children imitate adults, and may drink the beverages they see adults drinking.
Children become “drunk” much more quickly than adults, so even very small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous to children. Symptoms will resemble drunkenness and may include difficulty breathing, extreme drowsiness, difficulty walking, nausea and vomiting. Seizures may occur in some cases. Results maybe life-threatening, including hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and depressed breathing.
Other potential sources of alcohol poisoning include mouthwash, cologne, perfume, aftershave lotion, rubbing alcohol and cough/cold medications.
For Poisoning Emergencies Call 1-800-222-1222 V/TTY
