Keep medicines, cigarettes, cells and batteries away from children. Use safety latches, keep gas appliances in good condition, use lockable cabinets for poisonous stuff, and keeping away from alcohol are some of the preventive measures to keep children away from poison.

From substances such as insecticides to over-the-counter medications can cause poisoning in children. To prevent this from happening it is suggested, among other things, to keep these products out of the reach of the children and not to take medication in front of them.

What happens is that they find in the house all kinds of attractive materials, which have showy appearances, and end up ingesting: medicines, cleaning fluids, plants, and fungi found in the garden, rat poisons, insecticides, etc. In addition, they can make contact with environmental contaminants such as mercury from broken thermometers or become intoxicated due to exposure to paints, ceramics, and metals, which may be a product of the parents work activity.

Poison Prevention: How to Keep Your Children Safe?

18 poison prevention tips for children:

1. Keep medicine out of sight

Do not leave medicines within the reach of children, they must be in an inaccessible place and out of sight.

2. Keep medications in containers

Buy and keep all medications in containers with safety caps where children can not see or reach them. Discard the excess medication.

3. Don’t give attractive names to medicines

Never refer to medications as “candy” or other attractive names.

4. Keep cigarettes and such things away from children

If you use electronic cigarettes, keep the nicotine liquid spare parts under lock and key, out of the reach of children and only use spare parts that have childproof safety mechanisms. A small amount that spills on the skin or that is swallowed can be deadly for a child.

5. Keep cells and batteries away

Keep remote controls, key rings, greeting cards, and music books for children in a safe place. These devices and others may contain small button cell batteries that can cause injury if swallowed.

6. Keep knowledge of what you have in your garden

Know the name of the plants you have in your home and yard. If you have small children or pets, get rid of any plants that may be poisonous.

7. Never use a spoon for giving medicine

Check the label each time you administer medication to a child to make sure the dose is appropriate. For liquid medications, use the dispenser that comes with the medication. Never use kitchen spoons.

8. Use safety latches

Safety latches that activate and lock automatically when you close cabinet doors or cabinets can keep children away from dangerous products, although the mechanism may not work or the child may be able to open it. The safest place to store poisonous products is out of the reach of children.

9. Gas appliances should be in good condition

Keep natural gas appliances and charcoal, wood or kerosene stoves in good condition and working well.

10. Use lockable cabinets for poisonous stuff

Store medications, cleaning and laundry products (including detergent capsules), paints/varnishes and pesticides in their original packaging in lockable cabinets or cabinets, out of sight and reach of children.

11. Avoid taking medicine in front of them

When you take a medication do not do it in front of your child, because they imitate everything they see.

12. Ignore glass for storage of toxic and harmful things

Do not store toxic substances in cups or glasses as children may be tempted to try what is inside them.

13. Follow label instructions

Read the label completely before using any pesticide in or around the house, and follow all instructions on the label. Consider safe use practices so that you are prepared in the event of an accident.

14. Prohibit children from few places

Keep children away from areas that are being treated with pesticides. Make sure that product packages are safe out of reach while they are being applied.

15. Avoid such things if possible

Do not use hair spray, cleaning solutions, paint products or pesticides near flames, lighted candles, chimneys or stoves if possible.

16. Use gas with precaution

Make sure that the color of the flame is always blue (remember that the yellow flame is an incomplete combustion signal with a possible generation of carbon monoxide). Verify that gas heaters do not generate soot. Keep the regulatory of gas appliances up to date and make sure that the area where they are used is ventilated.

17. Use garage for unnecessary products

Use garage for toxic products storage and make your home a poison-proof place. Keep poisons and flammable products out of the reach of children. For example, kerosene, lamp oil, gasoline, and fertilizers are all toxic substances if they are ingested. Store such products in a garage or godown.

18. Keep them away from alcohol

Keep alcohol, medications, and dietary supplements out of the sight and reach of children. Aspirin is a common source of childhood poisoning, especially baby-flavored aspirin. Marijuana that you can eat and all marijuana products should be out of sight and reach of children. Edible marijuana is a cause of intoxication in children. Some products may seem like a harmless snack or treat to your child.

Almost all poisonings occur when parents or caregivers are at home but are not paying attention. The most dangerous products with which children can be poisoned are medicines, cleaning products, liquid nicotine replacement, antifreeze, windshield washer fluids, pesticides, furniture polishers, gasoline, kerosene and lamp oil. Stay on special alert when there is a change in routine.However, if your child is unconscious, does not breathe, has seizures or attacks due to being in contact with a poison or ingesting it, immediately call the local emergency number.

References:

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/Tips-for-Poison-Prevention-and-Treatment.aspx

 https://www.fisher-price.com/en_US/parenting-articles/health-and-safety/poison-prevention