Each year over 1 million children are poisoned by household products, plants, and drugs.  Most of them are preschoolers and occur before lunch and supper when children are hungry or thirsty.  Most poisoning occur when products are being used, not while they are stored.  Children do not have fully-developed taste buds like adults, so just because something doesn't taste good, doesn't keep children away.  If there is a toddler in the house, keep in mind that they have the ability to climb. 

Checklist of Common Household Poisons

Below are only some of the poisons that can be found in the home.  Inspect your own home, read labels, and consult with product manufacturers, your doctor, or the Poison Control Center if you have any questions or concerns.

• Cleaning solutions & waxes

  Powder and liquid detergent

  Cleanser & scouring powder

  Drain cleaner/lye

  Carpet & upholstery cleaner

  Ammonia

Bedroom or Purse  

• Sleeping drugs/medicine

  Jewelry cleaner

  Cosmetics

  Perfume

Laundry Room

• Oven cleaner

  Cooking oils, non-stick sprays

  Food supplements containing iron

  Bluing, dye

  Bleach

  Soap & detergent

  Disinfectant

  Spot remover

Closets, Attic, & Storage Places                    

• Rat Poison

  Moth balls & spray

Outdoors

• Plants

  Flowers

  BBQ grills

General

• Alcoholic beverages

  Batteries

  Lamp or candle oils

  Potpourri

  Tobacco products

  Glue, adhesives

  Flaking paint

  Repainted toys

  Broken plaster

  Carbon Monoxide

Mushrooms

• Avoid mushrooms with:

  Warts

  Scales on the cap

  White gills

  Light-colored inner cap

  A ring on the lower part of the stem

  A base like a bulb

Bathroom 

• Acetaminophen, aspirin

  All drugs and pills, medicine (cough syrup)

  Iron pills, vitamins with iron

  Shampoo, wave lotion and spray

  Lotions and creams

  Nail polish and remover

  Deodorant

  Toilet bowl cleaner

  Pine oil and bath oil

  Soap

  Rubbing alcohol

  Hairspray

  Cosmetics

  Room deodorizer, air fresheners

  Camphor

  Personal care products

Garage, Basement

• Acids

  Kerosene

  Windshield washer solvent

  Bug killer/Weed killer

  Gasoline/Motor oil

  Charcoal lighter fluid

  Turpentine, paint, paint remover/thinner

  Antifreeze (smells sweat and attracts pets)

  Car cleaning supplies

  Caulking

Tips For Parents

• Teach children to ask for permission before eating anything like berries or mushrooms found outside.

  Never refer to medicine as candy.

  Never take medicine in front of children and never drink medicine from the bottle.  Children tend to imitate adults.

  Let children watch you read the instructions and measure the proper dosage.

  Never give medicine in the dark.

  Post the Poison Control Centers number by every telephone.

  keep bottle of Ipecac in the medicine cabinet and in the glove compartment of your vehicle.

  Share this information with older siblings, relatives, and babysitters.

Keep Your Household Safe

• Use water-based latex paint instead of hazardous oil-based paint.

  Keep rodent or insect traps out of reach.

  Never mix household products, it could cause a chemical reaction.

  Be familiar with plants, trees, and shrubs around your house.

  Wipe up all spills and puddles in the garage, carport, basement, or utility areas.

  Use powders or pellet pesticides and herbicides instead of sprays and only use them when children and pets are not nearby.

  Avoid having unnecessary toxic substances in the house.

  Store products in their original containers and keep all medicines and chemicals locked up in a cabinet out of reach of children.

  Take either the product or the child with you if you have to leave the room even for a moment.

  Pour old medications down the drain or toilet, rinse the container, and dispose of it.  Never throw medication or products in the trash.

  Keep household items and food stored separately to avoid confusion.

  Recycle hazardous waste such as batteries and motor oil instead of throwing it away.

Signs of Use                        

• Unusual behavior

  Product container nearby

  Smell chemical odors

  See flames or smoke

  Medicine cabinet is open

  Damaged plants

  Unconscious

  Not breathing

  Pale/bluish skin

Symptoms

• Sudden chest or abdominal pain/cramps

  Painful crying

  Chills or shaking

  Unusual thirst

  Cold & clammy skin

  Disorientation

  Slurred speech

  Difficulty breathing

  Drowsiness

  Dizziness

  Lack of coordination

  Burns around mouth

  Convulsions, coma

  Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea

Emergency Action

If you suspect that someone has consumed or been in contact with a poisonous substance contact the Poison Control Center right away.  The phone number is usually listed in the front of the telephone book, if not call your local emergency room or doctor immediately.

DO NOT WAIT FOR SYMPTOMS TO DEVELOP.

CALL IMMEDIATELY.