Do you have the number for the National Poison Control Center posted by your telephone? According to the Home Safety Council, 75% of parents don’t and this is sad because approximately 1/3 of all unintentional injuries are poison-related. Here are some things you need to keep in mind, according to the National Poison Control Center.
If you think someone has been poisoned call 1-800-222-1222 for your Poison Control Center. The toll-free number works from anyplace in the U.S. 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week.
******Reactions to poisons vary, depending on the product. The child may vomit, appear to be drowsy or sluggish, there may be burns around the lips or mouth, or you may be able to smell the product on the child’s breath. Some products, however, cause no immediate symptoms.******
******When you contact the Poison Control Center or other emergency personnel be prepared to give the following facts:
The victim’s age and weight.
Any existing health conditions or problems.
The substance involved and whether it was it swallowed, inhaled, absorbed through the skin, etc. You will also need to tell them when the person came in contact with the substance.
If any first aid has been given.
If the person has vomited.
Your location and the distance from the nearest hospital.
******If medicine has been swallowed, don’t give anything by mouth until advised by the Poison Control Center. If chemicals or other household products have been swallowed, call the Poison Control Center or follow the first aid instructions on the label.******
******Potentially poisonous products should be locked up where possible, out of the child’s reach, even those with safety packaging.******
******It is dangerous to use cups or soft-drink bottles to hold paint thinner, turpentine, gasoline, or other household chemicals because kids associate these items with food and drink.******
******And finally, don’t put decorative lamps and candles that contain lamp oil where children can reach them because lamp oil is very toxic.******
See my related blog:
Preventing Unintentional Childhood Injuries