Poisoning is the number one cause of injury death in the U.S. The number of children who die from poisoning has more than doubled since 1999.
In 2014, America’s poison control centers managed over 1 million calls about potentially poisonous exposures in kids under age 6. The good news is that there are some simple precautions that parents and caregivers can take to help keep children safe.
Be prepared
Put the poison control number in your mobile phone and display it in your home for babysitters and other caregivers in case of emergency.
Store safely
Ideally, the following things should be stored up, away and out of sight of kids. Alternatively, keep these substances in locked cabinets or containers.
- All medications and pharmaceuticals, including over-the-counter medicines
- Laundry and cleaning supplies
- Pesticides and insect repellants
- Button batteries and other small objects that can be swallowed
- Any type of oil or lubricant, including fragrance oils, tiki torch oils, engine oil, etc.
Read labels
Make a habit of reviewing the label on any potentially hazardous substance or product prior to use, especially before administering medications to kids.
Detect invisible threats
Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home and replace their batteries regularly.