Poison Prevention at Home: Stay Safe While Staying Clean
Poison Control centers across the country report an increase in calls related to hand sanitizers, cleaning products, and disinfectants. Many are about children ages 5 and younger. Swallowing even tiny amounts of these products can poison children. Adult supervision is needed whenever they are used. Poisoning may cause confusion, vomiting, drowsiness, seizures, difficulty breathing, and even death. Find poison prevention and response tips below.
Be Prepared
Send a text with the word “poison” to 484848 to have Poison Control contact information sent to your smartphone. Put the toll-free number, 800-222-1222, near every phone in your home.
Visit the Poison Control website for guidance on preventing poisoning and what to do if someone swallows or splashes something that might be harmful.
Read the Label
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found some hand sanitizers are not safe. Make sure your hand sanitizer does not contain methanol, also known as methyl alcohol or wood alcohol. Check the FDA updates on hand sanitizers consumers should not use to find out if yours is safe.
Follow directions about mixing and ventilation for all cleaners and disinfectants.
Keep Out of Reach
Keep hand sanitizers, laundry detergent packets, and cleaning products in their original containers and on high shelves or in child-proof cabinets. Don’t forget to secure small bottles in purses, diaper bags, backpacks, and cars.
In Case of Emergency
Contact Poison Control by phone or use the online tool if you think a child has been poisoned but they are awake and alert. These services are available 24/7.
- 800-222-1222 (toll-free)
- Poison Control Triage
Call 911 if a child has collapsed or is not breathing.
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This and other helpful articles are available at the Head Start Early Childhood Knowledge & Learning Center at : https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/publication/poisoning-prevention-home-safety-tip-sheet?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=New%20on%20ECLKC%20March%202021&utm_content=New%20on%20ECLKC%20March%202021+CID_64884e24d82c0ccba3b5d21f03881317&utm_source=CM%20Eblast&utm_term=Poisoning%20Prevention%20Home%20Safety%20Tip%20Sheet&cid=64884e24d82c0ccba3b5d21f03881317
