Poison Prevention Tips from Safe Kids Wisconsin
Safety & Awareness | July 10, 2024
By Sonja Jensen, Deputy Director for Appleton City Health Department
Childhood is a time of exploration and discovery, but it also comes with its risks, especially when it comes to accidental poisoning. From household cleaners to medications, there are numerous substances within our homes that can pose a threat to the safety of our children.
Child poisoning occurs when a child ingests, inhales, or comes into contact with harmful substances. These substances can range from household chemicals and medications to plants and personal care products. Young children are particularly vulnerable to poisoning due to their natural curiosity and tendency to put objects in their mouths.
The Third Leading Cause of Unintentional Death
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, poisoning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death among children ages 1 to 19 years.
In 2018, poisonings in children 0-14 years of age resulted in an average of:
- 1 death per week
- 158 hospitalizations per week
- 1,197 Emergency Dept. visits per week
Poison Prevention Tips
Here are a few poison prevention tips from Safe Kids to keep little explorers from finding their way into household items that could be dangerous.
- Store household products safely to prevent poisoning. Young kids are often eye-level with items under the kitchen and bathroom sinks, so make sure to keep household cleaning products and personal care products up and away, out of children’s reach and sight.
- Keep all household cleaning products in their original containers. Also, when buying products, look for child-resistant containers to help prevent poisoning to children.
- Read and follow product labels. Check for ingredients that can be hazardous to kids and make sure you use and store products according to the label. Kids can get into things quickly, so remember not to leave cleaning products or personal care products unattended while you are using them.
- Remember products that might be harmful to kids. Check your home for products like cleaning supplies personal care products, liquid laundry packets, plants, pesticides, alcohol and medicine.
- Save the Poison Help number in your phone and post it visibly at home: 1-800-222-1222. Specialists at poison control centers provide free, confidential, expert medical advice 24 hours a day. They can answer questions and help with poison emergencies.
Preventing child poisoning requires a combination of vigilance, education, and preparedness. By taking proactive steps to secure hazardous substances, educate children about potential dangers, and know how to respond in an emergency, caregivers can create a safer environment for children to explore and thrive.
