Home Security Tips
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More than a million cases of poisoning are reported each year, most of them affecting children. Here are just a few of the many things the Home Security Store suggests you can do to help reduce the risk of accidental poisoning in your home. Your local poison control center can tell you more.
How to Protect Children
- Never refer to medicine as candy; it can confuse young children.
- Don't take your medicine in front of young children who may not understand its use.
- Don't leave children alone with medicine. If you are interrupted while giving them medicine, take it with you.
- Use products with child-safety caps.
- Keep all drugs, chemicals, and personal care products in their original containers, not in bottles or bowls that children associate with food.
- Be cautious during a change in your family's routine, such as vacation, moving, arrival, or a new baby or house guests. That's when many accidental poisonings occur.
How to Prevent Poisoning
- Keep the number of the poison control center near the phone. You can find it in your local phone book.
- Keep syrup of ipecac on hand to use to induce vomiting in case of accidental ingestion. Use only if directed to by a poison control center.
- Don't store food and household cleaning products together.
- Pour old medicines down the drain or toilet and rinse liquid medicine containers before disposing.
What to Do in Case of Poisoning
Some of the signs of poisoning include dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, difficult or shallow breathing, hyperactivity, and irritability. Look for open bottles or spilled containers. If you suspect someone has been accidentally poisoned:
- Call your local poison control center or 911 immediately. Follow their instructions.
- Cover victim with blanket and loosen tight clothing, especially around neck.
- Do not give food, drink, alcohol, or drugs unless specifically requested by poison control center.
- Save and give doctor poisonous substance, container, and label.
- Perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if victim loses consciousness.
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