tomgr8
10-26-2004, 04:56 PM
Protect your family against accidental poisoning
There are over a million cases of poisoning reported each year, most of them affecting children. To help reduce the risk of accidental poisoning in your home, take these simple precautions:
Never refer to medicine as candy; it can confuse young children.
Don't take your medicine in front of young children who may not understand its use.
Never give or take medicine in the dark.
Don't leave children alone with medicine. If you are interrupted while giving the medicine, take it with you.
Use products with child-safety caps.
Pour old medicines down the drain or toilet and rinse liquid medicine containers before disposing..
Keep syrup of ipecac on hand to use to induce vomiting in case of accidental ingestion.
Keep the number of the poison control center near the phone.
Keep all drugs, chemicals and personal care products in their original containers, not in bottles or bowls that children associate with food.
Don't store food and household products together.
Be especially cautious during a change in your family's routine, such as vacation, moving, arrival or a new baby or house guests as these are times when accidental poisonings are likely to occur.
If you suspect poisoning, check for these signs:
dizziness, drowsiness
odor on breath
open bottles or spilled container
vomiting, nausea or abdominal pain
difficult or shallow breathing
hyperactivity, irritability
Check to see if the victim is breathing:
if not, call an ambulance or police immediately
loosen clothing around the neck
perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
Take these first aid actions immediately:
call poison center, emergency room and/or doctor
cover victim with blanket and loosen tight clothing
do not give food, drink, alcohol or drugs
save and give doctor poisonous substance, container and label
There are over a million cases of poisoning reported each year, most of them affecting children. To help reduce the risk of accidental poisoning in your home, take these simple precautions:
Never refer to medicine as candy; it can confuse young children.
Don't take your medicine in front of young children who may not understand its use.
Never give or take medicine in the dark.
Don't leave children alone with medicine. If you are interrupted while giving the medicine, take it with you.
Use products with child-safety caps.
Pour old medicines down the drain or toilet and rinse liquid medicine containers before disposing..
Keep syrup of ipecac on hand to use to induce vomiting in case of accidental ingestion.
Keep the number of the poison control center near the phone.
Keep all drugs, chemicals and personal care products in their original containers, not in bottles or bowls that children associate with food.
Don't store food and household products together.
Be especially cautious during a change in your family's routine, such as vacation, moving, arrival or a new baby or house guests as these are times when accidental poisonings are likely to occur.
If you suspect poisoning, check for these signs:
dizziness, drowsiness
odor on breath
open bottles or spilled container
vomiting, nausea or abdominal pain
difficult or shallow breathing
hyperactivity, irritability
Check to see if the victim is breathing:
if not, call an ambulance or police immediately
loosen clothing around the neck
perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
Take these first aid actions immediately:
call poison center, emergency room and/or doctor
cover victim with blanket and loosen tight clothing
do not give food, drink, alcohol or drugs
save and give doctor poisonous substance, container and label