Prevent accidental poisonings with simple safety precautions

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

While every household contains potential poison hazards – think furniture polish, art supplies, lighter fluid, prescription medication, and laundry pods, for example – accidents are generally preventable.

“It’s really a matter of being aware of poison hazards around your home and taking steps to prevent accidents,” said Gina Peek, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension consumer and housing specialist.

Here are some safety measures families can put in place to reduce the risk of accidental poisoning.

Keep poison hazards out of the reach of children. Household chemicals such as disinfectants are often kept under a bathroom or kitchen sink. However, products should be moved to a less easily accessible area up and away from the reach of children.

“The safest option is to lock these products in a cabinet or outdoor shed away from children and pets,” Peek said.

Families also should avoid storing chemicals and pesticides in soda bottles, milk jugs or similar containers since both adults and children have confused these dangerous hazards for food or drinks.

“Never leave chemicals and pesticides unattended while you’re using them. If you get interrupted, close the container and set it out of reach of kids and pets until you return,” Peek said.

Do not share prescription medications. Family members should only take prescription medication prescribed for them.

Never mix household or chemical products. Mixing household or chemical products can cause a dangerous gas. When using any chemical or pesticide, read and follow the directions printed on the label. The label is the law.

“Whether indoors or outdoors, children as well as their toys, bottles and pacifiers should be clear of the area being treated. Pets also should be clear of the area,” Peek said. 

Know what to do in case of an emergency. Family members should program the Poison Help Line, 1-800-222-1222, into their cell and home phones. The help line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for immediate help from a local poison expert. If the person is unconscious, call 911.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration, there are nearly 700,000 drug-related hospital emergency room visits annually and poisonings trigger more than 35,000 fatalities each year.

The top five causes of poisoning include painkillers; cosmetics or personal products; household cleaning products; sedatives, hypnotics and antipsychotic medications; and foreign bodies, toys and other objects.

For more information about ways to prevent accidental poisonings, contact the nearest county Extension office.

Story by Leilana McKindra