Poison Safety
Poison Prevention Tips
Research shows that poisoning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury related death in the home. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) more than 92 percent of the 2.3 million poison exposures reported in the latest year studied occurred in the home. Yet, the Home Safety Council found that most families are not taking the appropriate precautions to reduce the risk of poison exposure.
Poison prevention is for everyone, not just children. Poisoning prevention advice can help individuals and families keep their homes safer from poisonous and toxic products, chemicals and gases, regardless of the ages of the occupants. Homes with young children need to take extra precautions. Follow these guidelines to keep your family safe from poison exposures at home:
> Make sure all potentially dangerous products (household cleaners, medicines, and typical garage items like antifreeze and pesticides) all have child resistant closures on them, are locked up, and are stored in high places.
> Homes with young children should have child locks installed on cabinets.
> Store food and non-food products separately. This protects consumers in the event of a leak in the product and reduces any possible confusion between items.
> Make sure all medicines and prescriptions have not expired. If they have expired they should be flushed down the toilet and not thrown away in the garbage.
> Immediately mop up puddles of anti-freeze and car oil in the garage or driveway. They are extremely harmful to children and pets.
> Read the use and storage directions before using products. Original labels on product containers often give important first-aid information.
> Wear gloves and follow manufacturer’s instructions when using harsh chemicals or cleaners.
> Do not mix household products, because their contents could react together with dangerous results.
> Post the national poison control hotline (1-800-222-1222) next to every phone.
> To prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, have your home heating equipment inspected annually and install a UL-listed CO alarm near every sleeping area.
> Walk through the most common rooms where potentially harmful products are stored including the kitchen, bathrooms and garage. Learn more about room-by-room poison prevention in Home Safety Council’s safety guide.
The National Poison Control Hotline and How to Use It
Poison Centers in the United States managed more than 2.3 million poison exposures in 2002, and more than half of these exposures were children under the age of six. The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) provides a national poison control hotline, which offers the best initial line of defense for any poison emergency.
Calls to the hotline will be automatically connected to the local poison control center where specially trained nurses, pharmacists and physicians will provide immediate emergency help to callers. If necessary, the poison center will call an ambulance and will provide advice to the EMT’s when they arrive. Callers may also call the hotline any time for advice about preventing poisoning. Experts are available to answer questions about poisonous plants, poison prevention advice, and how to use pesticides safely.
The Home Safety Council recommends memorizing the national hotline number -- (800) 222-1222 -- and posting the number with other local emergency phone numbers next to every phone.
CO Poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly gas that is difficult to detect because it is odorless and invisible. As a result, it is known as “the silent killer.” According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), this poisonous gas kills nearly 300 people in their homes each year. CO is produced by fuel-burning appliances and equipment in our homes. If you have heating, cooking or power equipment that uses fuels such as oil, natural gas, coal, wood, propane, gasoline, etc., then your home is at risk for potential CO poisoning. Homes with attached garages are also at risk, because vehicles left running in the garage can cause CO to seep into the home.
CO poisoning can be prevented by proper care and use of household equipment. CO alarms can provide early detection if CO leaks or accumulation occurs. Both are important for your safety.
> If you suspect CO poisoning in your home, call the appropriate responding agency, usually your local fire department or 9-1-1. Keep all emergency response numbers posted by every telephone.
> CO alarms are different from smoke alarms, and have different functions. CO alarms do not provide early warning of a fire. Smoke alarms do not provide early warning of CO exposure. Your home needs both CO and smoke alarm protection.
Symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to symptoms of the flu, and can include headache, dizziness, nausea and shortness of breath. If your CO alarm sounds check to see if it is plugged in properly, or if battery-powered, check the battery to be sure the device is operating. If you suspect that CO is leaking in your home, follow these steps: > Open windows and doors to ventilate the rooms, or in severe cases of CO exposure, evacuate the home.
> Call to report that you suspect CO is accumulating. Usually the appropriate agency to call is the fire department or 9-1-1.
> Seek immediate medical treatment for anyone who has severe symptoms.
> Follow the advice of the responding agency before re-entering your home, and quickly obtain repairs as needed.
Preventing CO Poisoning at Home
Use the following to avoid CO poisoning in your home: > Purchase CO alarms that are listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Install at least one CO alarm in your home, near the sleeping areas. A hallway outside bedrooms, for example.
> Use appliances and equipment according to directions and only for the purposes, they are intended. For example, use a range or cook stove only for cooking, never to heat your home.
For additional safety from CO exposure: > Never use a barbecue or gas grill indoors, inside a garage or in an enclosed porch.
> Electric generators must never be used inside the home or garage, or in any enclosed area.
> Back vehicles out of the garage when warming up the engine.
> Have a trained professional inspect, clean and tune-up your central heating system before the heating season each year.
> Have a professional sweep inspect your chimneys once a year and clean them if needed.
> If you have a wood stove, verify that it meets local fire codes. Contact your town’s fire marshal if you have questions.
> When purchasing a new wood stove or portable space heater, choose equipment that is UL-listed.
> Open flues before using fireplaces.
> Be aware that kerosene heaters are illegal in some areas.
> Re-fuel kerosene heaters outdoors only, after the device has cooled.
> Kerosene and gas heaters should always be used with ventilation (such as an open window).
Purchasing a new home? Before you sign the contract, have the home inspected to ensure fuel-burning heating and cooking equipment is safe to use, including fireplaces, wood stoves and chimneys.
Home Heating Safety
Proper installation, use and regular maintenance of heating equipment are necessary for safe home heating. Use these guidelines to help you prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, contact burns and heating equipment fires during the winter months.
General Guidelines
> Purchase heating equipment listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL); install and use it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
> Furnaces and other fixed heating equipment should be installed in accordance with applicable local building and fire codes (contact your town’s fire marshal for information about these).
> Have your furnace inspected and serviced by a professional each year.
> Have your woodstove and fireplace chimneys inspected each year, and cleaned as needed.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning Prevention
If you have fuel-burning heating equipment in your home, such as kerosene heaters, woodstoves and fireplaces, and oil and natural gas furnaces, you are at risk for potential Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning.
> Proper installation, use and regular maintenance are necessary to prevent CO poisoning.
> In addition, every home with fuel-burning appliances should have the added protection of a UL-listed CO alarm. Install a CO alarm near sleeping areas to provide early warning if there is a serious CO leak in your home.
Burn Prevention
When you build a fire in a wood stove or fireplace, the outer surfaces get hot – hot enough to cause a burn injury if you come in contact with them. Young children are especially vulnerable to these contact burns. Portable kerosene and electric heaters can also get hot on the outside, and though newer models have grills covering the heating element, little ones’ fingers may be small enough to reach through and be seriously burned.
> Constantly supervise children around all types of heating equipment. Keep plenty of distance between children and space heaters, woodstoves and fireplaces.
> For increased protection against unintentional burn injuries, install a temporary safety gate around woodstoves and hearths. Never leave a child unattended in a room with an operating fireplace, woodstove or space heater.
Fire Prevention
To reduce the risk of a heating-equipment fire in your home, follow the manufacturer’s use and maintenance directions.
> Move anything that can burn a good distance away from heat sources – at least one yard.
> When buying new portable heaters look for UL-listed models with automatic shut-off technology that stops the operation if the heater tips over.
If you use a kerosene heater, be aware that this type of heater is illegal in some areas – check with your local fire department before purchasing. Kerosene is a flammable fuel which must be used with extreme caution: > Use the type of kerosene recommended by the heater’s manufacturer (never substitute another fuel for a heater designed to burn kerosene).
> Refuel outdoors only, and only after the heater has cooled completely.
> Clean up spills immediately.
> Plug a portable electric heater into a receptacle, not an extension cord, so you don’t overload the circuit.
> Always use a screen or glass doors on working fireplaces because sparks and embers can easily pop out of the opening.
Installing and Using CO Alarms
Install at least one CO alarm in every home that has an attached garage and/or uses fuel-burning appliances or equipment.
> Purchase CO alarms that are listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
> Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for installing and testing the alarm.
> Place one CO alarm outside each area where people sleep, such as a hallway outside bedrooms.
> Sound the CO alarm for all household members so everyone can identify the difference between the CO alarm signal and the smoke alarm signal.
> Contact your fire department to learn the appropriate local emergency telephone number to call if you suspect CO poisoning in your home.
> Post all emergency response numbers by every telephone.
> CO alarms are different from smoke alarms, and have different functions. CO alarms do not provide early warning of a fire. Smoke alarms do not provide early warning of CO exposure. Your home needs both CO and smoke alarm
protection.
Protecting Children from Lead Poisoning
Lead poisoning is a hidden danger for families with young children. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), an estimated 38 million housing units in the United States had lead-based paint between 1998 and 2000. More than half had significant lead hazards.
Lead is toxic for all ages, but is especially harmful to young children. When they are exposed to high levels of lead, they can suffer permanent health and brain damage. According to HUD, one out of every nine American children has too much lead in their bodies. Lead-based paint hazards in older housing are a common source of lead poisoning for children.
In 1978, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) ruled that only trace amounts of lead could be contained in paint. If your home was built before 1978, your family may be at greater risk from lead poisoning. Use the following tips to help protect against lead poisoning: > Ask your doctor about testing children age six or younger for lead. Sometimes these simple blood tests are provided at no cost at local health centers and clinics. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends lead testing of all children at the one- and two-year health supervision visits.
> If you rent an older home or apartment, be sure to tell the building owner if you notice peeling paint and paint chips. You can also report peeling or chipping paint to your local public health department.
> If your home has high levels of lead, you may need to have certain repairs made to keep your family safe.
> HUD offers information on testing and special renovations on its Healthy Homes Web site. Visit the web site
> You should not try to remove lead-based paint yourself.
> You cannot identify lead by looking at paint yourself. Whether you rent or own your home, consider having your home professionally tested for the presence of lead.
> Always supervise children closely. Do not permit them to play with, hold or chew pieces of paint that may chip or peel away from the walls.
> Do not permit children to play in or near buildings that are condemned or under repair or renovation. In addition to other hazards, lead can be present in the soil and dust around these sites.
> Wash children’s hands frequently; always before they eat.
Kitchen Poison Safety
Food, drinks and household cleaners are found in kitchens across the country – yet surprisingly Home Safety Council research shows that over half of families keep cleaners and chemicals in unlocked places. The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) reports than 92 percent of all poison exposures occur in the home every year. To help reduce the risk to your family, adopt the following safety guidelines to handle and store poisons at home: > Store all products in their original containers and in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
> Never transfer poisonous or caustic products to drinking glasses, pop bottles, or other food containers, which could be mistaken and the contents consumed.
> Homes with young children should have child locks installed on cabinets. Lock up all pesticides, cleaning products and other chemicals, all medications and medical supplies, and all other poisonous, toxic or caustic products.
> Purchase medications with child-resistant caps and make sure all dangerous products in the cabinets have child-resistant caps, including cleaning products and chemicals.
> Read the use and storage directions before using products. Original labels on product containers often give important first-aid information.
> When using harsh products follow safety recommendations, such as wearing gloves and masks. Do not mix products together because their contents could react together with dangerous results.
> Promptly put away products after use and wipe up spills immediately.
> If you purchase cleaning products or household chemicals that are packaged with labeling that includes images of food (for example citrus fruit in some cleaners), or that are packaged in containers that look similar to beverage bottles, be aware of the risk of these containers being mistaken for edible food products and ingested.
> Avoid purchasing cleaning products or household chemicals that are packaged with labeling that includes images of food (for example citrus fruit in some cleaners) or in containers that look similar to beverage bottles. These can easily be mistaken and the contents consumed.
> Store all harmful products away from food to avoid mistaken consumption.
> If you purchase cleaning products or household chemicals that are packaged with labeling that includes images of food (for example citrus fruit in some cleaners), or that are packaged in containers that look similar to beverage bottles, be aware of the risk of these containers being mistaken for edible food products and ingested.
> Post the poison control hotline (1-800-222-1222) and other emergency numbers near every phone.
Bathroom Poison Safety
All medicines, whether prescription or purchased over-the-counter, are dangerous if used improperly and potentially poisonous to people of all ages. Yet according to The State of Home Safety in America® Report, 82 percent of families report that medications are left unsecured. Household cleaners, some cosmetics and other everyday items can pose a poison risk for children. Consider the following safety advice when handling and storing medications and other potentially hazardous products: > Vitamins, supplements, aspirin and other over-the-counter remedies, as well as most prescription medicines, should be purchased with child-resistant closures. Child-resistant packaging has been shown to help protect children from poisoning.
> Lock medicines and medical supplies, including personal syringes, in a medicine cabinet or other locking cabinet and secure the key.
> Do not store medicines inside purses, nightstand drawers, or other locations easily accessed by children.
> Capsules, tablets and liquid medications look alike and may also look similar to other dangerous products. If medications become separated from their original containers, don't assume it is safe to use them. It is too risky to consume or use unidentified medications.
> Flush all unidentified and out-of-date medicines down the toilet. As medicines age, the chemicals inside them can change. Rinse the container well and discard it.
> Store all medicines in their original containers with the original labels intact. Prescription medicines may or may not list ingredients. In an emergency, the prescription number on the label will allow rapid identification of ingredients by your pharmacist.
> Treat all medicines and supplements as potential poisons, especially to young children.
> Cosmetics and other personal care products can be highly toxic if consumed and some contain caustic ingredients that can harm skin and eyes. Read all product packaging carefully and follow use and storage instructions.
> Use child safety locks on all cabinets where you store medicines, cosmetics and personal care products.
> If you provide care for someone who uses medications, carefully dispense the medicines and keep track of doses to ensure compliance with the prescription or medical recommendation.
Poison Safety in the Garage
The garage is often a place for home improvement projects and chemical storage – and a place where some chemicals that can cause the most harm to children, such as pesticides, gasoline and automotive fluids are often stored. To help keep your family safe from one of the leading causes of home injuries, you need to keep safety at the top of mind when handling poisons and chemicals in your garage: > In homes with young children, child-resistant caps should be kept on dangerous products, including those stored in the garage. Ideally, a locking cabinet should be used to store items such as pesticides, automotive fluids, charcoal lighter fluid, paint thinner, antifreeze, ice-melting products, and turpentine.
> Store all products in original containers and keep original labels legible.
> In homes with young children, it is safest to store all dangerous products out of sight and reach - or better yet, locked up.
> Never transfer dangerous products to glass jars, pop bottles, or other containers. Many products look alike. In addition to the risk of the products being mistakenly consumed or otherwise improperly used, the containers may leak or break and it is easy to forget what product was placed in which container.
> Store only a small amount of gasoline in the garage or shed, out of the reach of children, and always in an approved vented container designed and labeled for gasoline. Because of its highly volatile flammable vapors, gasoline must never be brought indoors, even in small amounts.
> Use a siphon hose if you must transfer gasoline; never try to siphon gasoline or other fuels by mouth.
> To prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, never use a barbecue or grill or keep a generator running in a garage. Always pull the car out of the garage after starting it. CO can enter the home if cars are left running in the garage, even with the garage door open.
Outdoor Chemicals & Poison Hazards
According to the State of Home Safety in America (2002, household chemicals caused more than 45,000 emergency room visits in a single year. Many families store chemicals and cleaning supplies in a garage or basement, and while those may not be high traffic areas for family members, it is important to store and handle chemicals correctly, wherever they are. Use the following guidelines when storing and handling dangerous products, including gasoline, pool chemicals and pesticides: > Use child-resistant caps on dangerous products, including those stored in the garage, such as pesticides, automotive fluids, charcoal lighter, paint thinner, antifreeze, and turpentine. Ideally, hazardous products should be stored in a locking cabinet.
> Store all products in their original containers and in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
> When using harsh products follow safety recommendations, such as wearing gloves and masks. Do not mix products together because their contents could react together with dangerous results.
> Never transfer poisonous or caustic products to drinking glasses, pop bottles, or other food containers, which could be mistaken and the contents consumed.
> Make sure all chemicals are stored in their original containers according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
> Store only a small amount of gasoline, in a garage or shed, and always in an approved, vented container designed and labeled for gasoline. Because of its highly volatile flammable vapors, gasoline must never be brought indoors.
> Read the use and storage directions before using products. Original labels on product containers often give important first-aid information.
> Pesticides are extremely hazardous – consider substituting non-poisonous insecticides whenever possible.
> Mix insect sprays outdoors, away from areas used by your family and pets.
> Store and use pool chemicals according to the manufacturer’s directions, always in tightly covered original containers, in a dry place. Keep these away from other chemicals and products. |
