Poisoning prevention

In 2005, approximately 92 children ages 14 and under died from poisoning. More than 2.4 million unintentional poisonings were report to the U.S. Poison Control Centers in 2006 representing all ages less than one to over 90 years old.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) (12/17/08).

American Association of Poison Control Centers, 2006 Annual Report of the NPDS (12/17/08).

Safety basics

Post the nationwide Poison Control Center phone number, +1 800 222-1222, near all phones. The Poison control Center is a service for all ages. Children should know who to call if they think someone has eaten poison, and there is not adult available.
Children should be taught never to accept medicine form anyone except a trusted adult and to tell a grown-up if they find medicine or any poisonous substance.
Keep household cleaning products and medicines (including vitamins) in their original container locked up and out of children’s sight and reach.
Purchase child-resistant packaging.
Properly dispose unused and old medications.
Install laboratory-listed carbon monoxide (CO) alarms inside your home to provide early warning of accumulating CO. Alarms should be installed outside the sleeping area and on every level of the home. Test alarms at least monthly.
Have furnaces, water heaters and other fuel-burning appliances inspected and cleaned, yearly by a professional.
Have your home tested for lead paint. Children can be poisoned by ingesting dust form lead paint.