Poison Prevention

Take a "Poison Patrol" of your home. Use this helpful information to make sure your home is poison-proof for children.

Children & Potential Poisons

Young children will eat and drink almost anything! Never call medicine "candy." Children should not be deceived by having flavored medicines called "candy." When left alone, they may locate the bottle and eat or drink its contents.

Growing children are curious about things that glitter, pretty colored pills, and bottle and containers of all kinds. These items arouse a child's natural curiosity. If a child is in the crawling stage, arrange to keep household products in places other than below the kitchen sink unless the cabinet is locked or secured with child safety latches.

If the child is able to climb, find a shelf that is completely beyond his/her ability to reach, or better yet, lock these products in a cabinet or closet. Children will pull drawers out and use them as stairs to reach upper cabinets!

  1. When, Where & Who
  2. Poisons in the Home
  3. Keys to "Home Safe Home"

When Do Poisonings Occur?

Poisonings most often occur:

  • In times of stress (family problems, birth of a child, illness)
  • During a change of routine (moving, traveling, having guests)
  • When poisonous products are stored in pop bottles, jars, and other containers normally used for food
  • When adult attention is absent (meal preparation time, telephone time)

Who Is Poisoned?

Chart showing ages commonly poisoned: Adults 10%, 5 Years to Adult 12.6%, Under 5 Years 77.4%

Where Do Poisonings Occur?

Chart showing common poisoning locations: Bedroom 12%, Bathroom 21%, Kitchen 41%, Other Rooms 26%