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Every year home poisonings cause more than a million injuries and illnesses. Nearly 5,000 people die annually from some type of poison exposure. Children, senior citizens, and animals are most at risk; however, all ages can be poisoned.

Many household products and plants are poisonous. Don’t assume that your home is safe. Most houses are filled with many products that make life easier and more pleasant--such as cleaning supplies, cosmetics and medicines. Any of these products can be poisonous when proper directions are not followed or warning labels and stickers are disregarded. Checking your home regularly for poisonous products can help prevent most poisonings.

Products To Check:

• Laundry Area: detergents, soaps, dyes, bleach, fabric-care products, stain/spot removers
• Kitchen: detergents, dishwasher products, drain cleaner, oven cleaner, medicines, vitamins, polish, window/counter cleaners
• Bathrooms: medicines (prescription and over-the-counter), cosmetics, hair-care products, mouthwash, rubbing alcohol, disinfectants, toilet bowel cleansers, etc.
• Bedrooms: medicines, perfumes, cologne, aftershave, hair spray, deodorants, etc.
• Garage/Outside Storage: car products (motor oil, anti-freeze, etc.), garden products, gasoline, kerosene, paints, solvents, pool supplies (chlorine)
• Basement/Attic: hobby/craft supplies, ink, glue, insect traps, rat poisons, etc.
• Throughout Your Home: alcohol, tobacco, mothballs, plants, lead paint (paint chips), toys.

Choose and Use Safe Products:

• Read all labels and directions before purchasing or using a product.
• Buy products that seem least hazardous and with safety lids or child-safe packaging.
• When using dangerous products, always keep them away from children and pets.

Store All Products Safely:

• Keep hazardous products locked up or use child-safety latches on cabinets. Make sure they are out of sight and reach for children and pets.
• Always keep products in their original containers with labels intact.
• Store food and nonfood items separately.
• Clean out storage areas regularly. Check expiration dates and get rid of outdated products.

Other Poison Prevention Tips:

1. Make sure you never tell children that medicine is candy or that it tastes good. Teach children never to taste medicine unless you give it to them.
2. Choose plants that are safe --ask the garden or florist shop for help.
3. Supervise children at all times --do not leave them by themselves (especially in a potentially dangerous/poisonous area).
4. Post the poison control number by every phone in your house:

Poison Control Center Number: 558-5111.

What To Do In A Poisoning Emergency:

1. Call the Poison Control Center immediately. If unable to contact them, call your physician, hospital or operator.
2. Bring the empty container with you to the phone. If possible, also bring the sick person.
3. Stay calm. Be ready to answer questions concerning the incident.
4. Follow instructions exactly; ask questions if you don’t understand directions.
5. Never try to make the person vomit. Do not stick your finger down the person’s throat or give anything by mouth unless instructed to do so.
6. Have Syrup of Ipecac handy. It is a medicine that can induce vomiting. Only use it when instructed by the Poison Control Center or a physician.

Remember to poison proof your home and ALWAYS keep a close eye on children!

The Health Alliance Emergency Departments, which include The Christ Hospital, The University Hospital, The St. Luke Hospitals (East and West), The Jewish Hospital and The Fort Hamilton Hospital, wish you a safe holiday season and a prosperous and healthy 2000.