When it comes to poisonings, our youngest members of society often fall victim, as kids get into all sorts of mischief.
“Children under the age of 6 make greater than 50 percent of our calls, and the most popular age group is 2 and 3 year olds,” said Dr. Gaylord Lopez, director of the New York City Poison Control Center. “We had the death of a child who bit in and ate one of those laundry packets.”
Anything with an interesting texture or color might seem appealing to a child.
“Sometimes the laundry packets are multi-colored, like blue, white, or orange, so they appear edible, which is one of the leading risk factors of why kids get into them.”
Kids misinterpret household items for candy, which can turn dangerous.
“A lot of medicines look like candy, and a prime example would be an Ex-lax square because it looks like a chocolate square,” said Lopez.
Only take drugs as prescribed and never take larger or more frequent doses. Dispose of unused, unneeded, or expired drugs immediately.
It is important to identify and be clear about items around your home so kids are certain of the difference.
“Windex, furniture polish, and lamp oil look and smell like something else, and are poison instead of something consumable like Gatorade or Kool-Aid,” said Lopez.
Turn on a fan when using household cleaners.
If you have questions or concerns, you can speak to a medical professional around the clock at a local poison control center.
“People call us about drugs, chemicals and household items, and we get a lot of calls about cough and cold medicines, vitamins, plants and personal hygiene items,” said Lopez. No question is too unusual.
Child-proof your home
When parents come home with a new child, it is critical that they poison-proof their home.
“Get cabinet locks, and if you are taking medicines, make sure you affix the child-resistant cap” said Lopez.
The most common items that are responsible for poisonings are ones that a family member recently used around the home. “If you use bug spray to kill ants at your porch, put it where you found it or in an area that is difficult for a kid to get to,” said Lopez.
A big piece of prevention revolves around storing products appropriately and out of reach.
“Keep products in their original container,” said Lopez. Try not to exposure your child to fumes as well. “Some people get poisoned by toxic fumes that result from mixing chemical X with chemical Y and Z.”
Trick-or-treat tips
When Halloween rolls around, be aware of candy safety tips.
“Advise your kid not to eat and walk at the same time, and examine the candy to make sure things are not out of the wrapper or have an unusual smell to them,” said Lopez. Be cognizant of costume and make-up safety as well, and just use common sense.
Realize that most people do not always have symptoms of poisoning right away.
“A lot of times some of the early signs and symptoms are related to stomach problems like nausea, vomiting, and excessive stools; and sometimes there are other nervous system problems that are not as evident like drowsiness, sleepiness, tremors, or seizures,” said Lopez. Never wait for symptoms to see whether or not you have been poisoned.
Prevent pet poisoning
Our furry friends must be protected, too. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of New York reinforces that you should not feed any form of chocolate or coffee to your pet.
Similar to responding to a child with poisoning, do not panic, but know that rapid response is important. The New York American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals asks that you take 30 to 60 seconds to safely collect and have at hand any material involved, and if you witness your pet consuming material that you suspect might be toxic, do not hesitate to seek emergency assistance. You should keep the phone number for Animal Poison Control Center on your refrigerator, as well as the number for your local veterinarian.
Last but not least, you should consider investing in an emergency first aid kit for your pet that includes a fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide, three percent USP; a turkey baster, bulb syringe, or large medicine syringe; saline eye solution; and artificial tear gel. Staying calm and responding are the most important actions you can take.
“Eighty-five percent of all calls we get can be managed at home; we have probably reported somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 to 40 deaths secondary to poisons each year but that is when you have a volume of over 100,000 calls, there may be 30 instances where someone overdoses and are successful in hurting themselves,” said Lopez.
For any treasured member of the family, it is better to be safe than sorry, and if you are ever in doubt, just make a simple phone call that could save a life.
You can speak to a medical professional around the clock at New York City Poison Control Center, (800) 222–1222. For Animal Poison Control Center, call (888) 426–4435.
Jamie Lober, author of “Pink Power” (www.getpinkpower.com), is dedicated to providing information on women’s and pediatric health topics. She can be reached at jamie@getpinkpower.com. © 2013 Jamie Lober
