Accidental Poisonings in Children
Protect Your Kids from Coming into Contact with Harmful Chemicals
This article offers tips to help parents prevent children from coming into contact with harmful chemicals that can lead to accidental poisonings.
When kids come into contact with harmful chemicals, they can possibly ingest, inhale, inject or absorb them through the skin and cause accidental poisonings to occur.
In a safety.com article titled "Accidental Poisonings and Children," Bailey Stoler says, "More than half of all cases reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers involve children under the age of six. And sadly, the majority of these accidental poisonings happen at home."
Signs of Accidental Poisonings in Children
The signs of accidental poisonings in children can be immediate or delayed and can include any combination of the following symptoms:
- restlessness
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal cramps
- unusual odor to breath
- diarrhea
- breathing difficulties
- seizures
- confusion
- apathy
- listlessness
- disorientation
- cold or clammy skin
- burns on or around the mouth
- burns on the tongue
How to Prevent Accidental Poisonings in Children
Prevention is always the best way to keep children from coming into contact with harmful chemicals.
- Never leave medications in your purse, pockets, or anywhere that children can reach them.
- Keep all household and outdoor chemicals locked away and out of the reach of children.
- Never refer to medication as "candy."
- Before you buy plants for your house or yard, you should check to make sure that they do not contain poisonous parts.
- Never give your children more than the recommended dosage of medications.
- Keep original labels on all medications and chemicals.
- Children should never be responsible for bringing medication to anyone.
- Children should never be allowed to distribute medications to themselves or others.
- Don’t put chemicals in food or drink containers.
- Never use toxic household chemicals in close proximity of your children and always use proper ventilation.
- Children enjoy imitating their parents, so avoid taking medication in front them.
- Don’t get distracted by television shows, phone calls or visitors when you are using hazardous substances. If you need to leave the area for any reason, make certain to take the substance with you.
When parents try to prevent their children from coming into contact with hazardous chemicals, they usually think about the obvious poisons like medications, cleaning products, kerosene, etc. But things like vitamins, nail polish, nail polish remover, hair products, perfumes, mouthwash and detergents can accidentally poison children and should be locked away.
What to Do If Your Child is Accidentally Poisoned
If your child has ingested poison and is alert and conscious, call the nearest Poison Control Center or your area emergency number and follow their instructions. If your child is unconscious, you should obtain prompt medical attention by calling your area emergency number immediately.
Resources:
Centers for Disease Control. (CDC) Accessed 1/4/08
Safety.com. Accidental Poisonings and Children. Accessed 1/5/08
