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Prevent Kids from Poisoning
More than half the calls received by most poison centers across the country involve children under the age of six. Usually these poisonings result in mild or no symptoms, but there is potential for severe injury or even death. Most often, children are poisoned in their own homes. The top four reported reasons why children accidentally poison themselves are listed here: 1. Poisons are not stored properly. Commonly used products left in the open where they can be seen are the No. For example, leaving recently used medication bottles in site on a counter or table. This usually occurs in the kitchen, family room or bathroom. Bottles on the counter or table, purses or diaper bags sitting on the floor, opened cleaning products left unattended for "just one second," can all lead to poisonings. 2. Children are curious. Children are naturally curious about the taste, smell and texture of products. Children may be interested in the mechanics of a spray container. By swallowing, smelling or spraying a product children learn more about it. By smelling, touching, and tasting, they learn about the world. Brightly colored liquids spray containers, pills, leafy or flowering plants attract children. 3. Children think a poison is something other than a poison. Because they look similar, children can think fuels, cough syrup, and shampoo are actually liquids that are safe to drink, such as fruit punch or soft drinks. Children may also think the odor of a product is similar to a liquid that is safe to drink. Many poisons look or taste similar to other things. Medicine tablets look and taste like candy. 4. Children imitate the behavior of adults. Children copy what their parents or grandparents do, such as taking medication, drinking colored liquids, clean house, and spray chemicals. When a child is poisoned, usually more than one of the above causes has occurred. However, by preventing just one of the above causes poisonings can be stopped. Protect Your Child A lovely bottle of perfume, a common houseplant, a handy spray bottle of window cleaner, some iron tablets--all these common household items can be poison to your child. If you have a child under five, he is especially at risk for accidental poisoning in the home. A child of that age is curious, has little understanding about what is dangerous to eat and drink, and he has a strong urge to imitate what you do. Here's his advice on how to poison-proof your home--and how to be prepared for emergencies. * Assume your child can get into anything. Go through your house room by room and put all poisons out of reach. Keep all dangerous substances on a high shelf, preferably in a locked box. * Keep your eye on cleaning products and other dangerous substances while you are using them, and put them away as soon as you are finished. * Never coax your child to take medication by saying that it tastes like candy. * Don't leave medication lying around where children can reach. Studies show that, given time, kids can figure out how to open up child-proof packaging. * Do what pharmacists do: Always read the label before giving your child a dose of medication. * At night, always turn on the light before giving medication. Tragic mistakes have been made by giving medicine from the wrong bottle. * Clean out your medicine cabinet. Flush outdated medication down the toilet or pour liquid medicines down the sink. Store other medications in a locked box. Caution: The medicine cabinet is the worst place to keep medication because children can easily climb up, open the cabinet door and help themselves. * Be sure that all poisons are stored in locked cabinets or well out of reach in your basement, gardening shed and garage as well as the house. * Don't leave vitamins out on the kitchen counter. A child can eat a bottle of iron tablets as though it were candy. * When you have visitors in your home, ask them to keep their medication, perfume and make-up in a locked travel case or well out of the reach of toddlers. * Be especially careful when you bring your children into other people's homes. Your friends may not be as careful about poisons as you are. * Always keep your Poison Control Center's telephone number posted or taped on the phone. Keep It Safe You must learn how to keep your child safe from these harmful chemicals and prevent the risks, because any of these poisonings can be prevented. The first step in preventing unintentional poisoning is to keep common household chemicals and medicines out of sight and out of reach of children. Store chemicals, cleaners and medicines in locked cabinets and on higher shelves. Follow instructions of medication carefully and ask your pharmacist for child-proof containers. Always be sure that your chemicals are stored in their original containers. Never put chemicals in food or drink containers. An essential medication to have in your home is syrup of ipecac. This syrup is a medicine which is used to cause vomiting in children and adults in the events of poisoning. Some pharmacies also stock poison first aid kits. These kits contain syrup of Ipecac, activated charcoal and Epsom salts. You would use these products only after seeking professional advice as to whether to induce vomiting or not. NEVER give Ipecac syrup, activated charcoal or Epsom salts or anything else to treat your child unless you have spoken to a poison control center, your physician or hospital emergency room first. Finally, discuss poison proofing with grandparents and any caregivers of your children, such as your baby-sitter. Take Precautions Young minds, quick hands and persistence. These traits can lead to success, which can potentially be deadly. Experts say kids are smart and they pay attention. Every year more than 1 million children under the age of 6 are exposed to poison. The top 4 reasons it happens: • Poisons - like cleaning products and medications not properly stored • Children are curious • Mistaken Identity - a child can easily confuse cough syrup and a fruit drink • Children are copycats - they imitate adult behaviors, like taking medication First of all pediatricians remind that parents need to remember: children often are smarter than adults believe. It's because you take for granted, as a parent, that your 2-year-old or toddler isn't watching you open the medication, when really they are. And they can probably get into it a lot faster than you think. When tested, 80 percent of kids must not be able to remove the lids. It's up to parents to make sure their child isn't in the other 20 percent, officials say. Parents need to make sure their kids know why these bottles are off limits. Adults should know to keep drugs and chemicals locked up or in hard-to-reach cabinets. By taking those precautions young minds with quick hands will have the chance to persevere in other areas of life. ! According to the U.S. Poison Control Centres. A child is accidentally poisoned every 30 seconds! And more than 50% of all poisoning occur at HOME children under 5 years of age.
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