Preventing Childhood Poisoning

     Store potentially poisonous products up and away from children. Read labels to know what is hazardous and what is not. Products like pesticides are obviously dangerous but other items like make-up, art supplies, and alcoholic drinks are sometimes within easy reach of a child and can be very lethal.

     Keep your purse and the purses of guests out of reach of children. Handbags can be a source of poisonous material and can contain medicines, makeup, toxic ink pens, leaded pencils, or micro- mace sprays. Items that adults do not consider toxic can be fatal to children.

      Keep the nationwide poison control center phone number near every telephone and program it into your cell phone. Make babysitters aware of the number as well. The nation wide number is 1-800-222-1222 .

      Test children for lead exposure, and test homes built before 1978 for lead based paint.  Frequently wash children's hands and faces,as well as their toys and pacifiers to reduce the risk of ingesting lead-contaminated dust.

     Install CO detectors in every sleeping area and on all levels of your home.  

     Ensure that  space heaters, furnaces, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves are vented properly and inspected annually.

     Finally, remove the car from the garage to warm it up, even if the garage door is open. Avoid leaving children in a running car when it is parked, even for  a short time.

      Following these tips will help to prevent accidental poisonings and go along way to keeping your children safe.