Many of the potentially poisonous household products that lie in wait under your kitchen sink, hide in your bathroom cabinet, or lurk on a garage shelf can be harmful if used improperly, by the wrong person, or in the incorrect amount. Seemingly innocuous items such as shoe polish, mouthwash, makeup or carpet cleaners can be poisonous when swallowed, inhaled, or enter the body through the eyes, ears or skin.
To help raise awareness and prevent accidental poisonings, Houston Northwest Medical Center will recognize March 20 to 27 as National Poison Prevention Week. Each year more than 2 million poisonings are reported to the 61 Poison Control Centers nationwide. In excess of 90 percent of these poisonings happen in the home and the majority of non-fatal poisonings involve children under six years of age.
“Poisons can come in an infinite variety of shapes, sizes and forms,” says Rochelle Pondt, D.O., family practice physician on the medical staff at Houston Northwest Medical Center. “It is especially important for parents to keep poisonous products out of the reach of children. This includes cleaning products like detergent or floor cleaners, personal care products such as deodorant or soap, and all medications.”
Dr. Pondt offers some additional tips to help prevent accidental poisonings:
- Because “childproof” medicine bottles are really just child resistant, keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
- Keep all products in original containers.
- Store bottles of alcohol in a locked cabinet and keep children away from poisonous house plants (or buy nonpoisonous ones).
- Be aware of other hazards in the home, including poisoning from carbon monoxide, which can cause headaches, fatigue or dizziness, and lead based paint, which affects motor control, memory and concentration.
- Do not refer to medicines or vitamins as “candy” or other names that appeal to children.
· Always store food and cleaners in separate cabinets or rooms.
“If a person has swallowed something poisonous, do not give ipecac syrup, or anything to eat or drink,” advises Dr. Pondt. “For inhaled poison, get to fresh air. Skin exposed to poison should be rinsed thoroughly with water for 10 minutes and contaminated clothing removed. Poisons in the eye should be flushed with lukewarm water for 15 minutes, but do not try to pry the eye open.”
For more information about poisons, visit Houston Northwest Medical Center’s website at www.hnmc.com/Poisons.