National Poison Prevention Week kicks off this week. According to the 2008 report conducted by the American Association of Poison Control Centers, approximately 1.3 million children younger than 6 were exposed to poisons.
The American Academy of Pediatrics provides the following poison prevention and treatment tips:
To poison proof your home:
Most poisonings occur when parents or caregivers are home but not paying attention. The most dangerous potential poisons are medicines, cleaning products, antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, pesticides, furniture polish, gasoline, kerosene and lamp oil. Be especially vigilant when there is a change in routine. Holidays, visits to and from grandparents’ homes, and other special events may bring greater risk of poisoning if the usual safeguards are defeated or not in place.
•Store medicine, cleaners, paints/varnishes and pesticides in their original packaging in locked cabinets or containers, out of sight and reach of children.
•Install a safety latch – that locks when you close the door – on child-accessible cabinets containing harmful products.
•Purchase and keep all medicines in containers with safety caps. Discard unused medication.
•Never refer to medicine as “candy” or another appealing name.
•Check the label each time you give a child medicine to ensure proper dosage.
•Never place poisonous products in food or drink containers.
•Keep coal, wood or kerosene stoves in safe working order.
•Maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Treatment
If your child is unconscious, not breathing, or having convulsions or seizures due to poison contact or ingestion, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. If your child has come in contact with poison, and has mild or no symptoms, call your poison control center at 1-800-222-1222
Different types and methods of poisoning require different, immediate treatment:
•Swallowed poison – Remove the item from the child, and have the child spit out any remaining substance. Do not make your child vomit. Do not use syrup of ipecac.
•Skin poison — Remove the child’s clothes and rinse the skin with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
•Eye poison — Flush the child’s eye by holding the eyelid open and pouring a steady stream of room temperature water into the inner corner.
•Poisonous fumes – Take the child outside or into fresh air immediately. If the child has stopped breathing, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and do not stop until the child breathes on his or her own, or until someone can take over.
It is also important to note that household plants can be a source of poisoning. Be sure to keep plants out of your child’s reach. Common household cleaners are another source of poisoning in young children. Use non-toxic cleaners or opt to make your own cleaners with chemical-free products such as baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and limes/lemons. Or clean using the action of steam (just be careful to avoid scalding). There are more and more products available to clean your home without the risk of serious illness or death by accidental ingestion.
If you believe your child has ingested or has been exposed to harmful chemicals and/or medications, be sure to call the Poison Control at 1-888-222-1222 and provide the following information:
•The name of the medication/chemical
•The dose or amount taken
•The time your child took it
•Child’s age and weight
•Any medical conditions your child has
•Other medications your child is taking
•Child’s symptoms
•Your location and how long it takes to reach a hospital
There are 60 poison control centers throughout the United States. Trained toxicology specialist, including doctors, pharmacist and nurses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If you suspect poisoning, act fast and call these professionals right away.
Babies 411 – Babies Are Our Business
Follow Babies 411 on:
Babies 411 is an on-line information and resource center for parents. This site has been developed by a neonatal intensive care nurse with the sole purpose of promoting the health, safety, and well-being of all babies.
Author : Diba Tillery RN, BSN, IBCLC, CPST
Related posts:
