Home Safety Council - Poison Prevention Tips

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Poison Prevention Tips

Poisons can make people sick or even kill them. You can find poisons inside and outside of your home. Poisons can be things you eat, breathe, touch or get in your eyes. Use poisons safely. Follow the directions.

Important: Young children are curious. They like to pretend to be grown-up. They try to do what adults do. Find the poisons inside and outside your home. Keep all poisons locked away from children so they won't try to use them.

Use poisons safely. Follow the instructions. Here are some other ways to keep your family safe. They are easy to do:

Be Prepared

Know to call 1-800-222-1222 if someone takes poison. Call the Help number if you have a question about poisons.

Keep the number by every phone.
Call 9-1-1 if someone won't wake-up, is having trouble breathing or is having seizures.
If the person seems okay, but you think they may have taken poison, call 1-800-222-1222.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a deadly gas that you cannot see or smell. The gas collects when fuels are burned.

Have a service person check heaters, stoves and fireplaces every year to see that they work well.

Have a carbon monoxide (CO) detector near the bedrooms. This will tell you if the gas level is too high.
Push the “test” button on the detector so everyone will know the sound it makes.
If the alarm sounds for real, go outside immediately. Call 9-1-1.

Your fire department will find out what caused the alarm to sound. They will let you know when it is safe to go back inside.

Protect Young Children

Know the things in your home that are poisons.

Read the labels of the products you use in your home.

Look for these words on bottles and packages: “Caution”, “Warning”, “Poison,” “Danger” or ”Keep Out of Reach of Children.”

Keep these things in a safe place. Keep them locked away from children.
Store them on a high shelf if you can.

Take all medicines and medical supplies out of purses, pockets and drawers.

Put them in a cabinet with a child safety lock.

Have child safety caps on all chemicals, medications and cleaning products.

Lock all dangerous items and products in a cabinet. Cosmetics (make-up) can be poison too.

Keep medicines and cleaning products in their original containers with the original labels intact.

Store all dangerous products away from food and drinks.
Watch out for products with fruit shown on the labels. Children could think they are okay to drink.

Too much medicine or the wrong medicine can hurt or even kill you. Medicines for adults can kill children. Use child-resistant caps.
When you take medicine or give medicine, read the label every time. Use a dropper or medicine spoon. Keep track of when medicine has been taken.

In the Bathroom

Lock all medicine away. Some medicines that you can buy without a doctor's prescription can also be poison if you take too much or mix them with other things.
Keep all chemicals, cleaners, medicines, cosmetics and other toxic and/or caustic products in the containers they came in from the store. Keep the label on the container.

Have a medicine cabinet you can lock.

Be safe. Throw away medicines if you don't use them or they are old or the date has expired.

Do not put medicines in the sink or toilet. They can poison our water and make people and animals sick. Put the medicine in the garbage.

Take off the label before you throw the medicine container away if it has your name or any information about you.

Wrap the container in a paper or plastic bag. Close the bag and put it in the garbage. Keep children and pets away from the garbage.

If you have pills, crush them before you throw them out. Mix the pieces into old coffee grounds, sand, or kitty litter.
Call your Health Department. Ask if there is a place to take old medicines.

In the Garage and Storage Areas

Many things in the garage, basement and sheds can be poisons. Examples are chemicals, fuels (such as gasoline), car fluids (such as anti-freeze), pesticides (such as bug killers), lawn and garden products (such as fertilizer).