Understanding the Basics
What is a poison?
Anything that can make you sick or kill you if you:
- • eat it
- • drink it
- • breathe it
- • get it on your skin or
- • in your eyes
Many household products and plants are poisons. Children, older people and pets are most at risk-but people of all ages can get poisoned!
Why should I learn about poisons?
Each year, two million poisoning exposures are reported to Poison Control Centers across the country, more than one million of these involve children under the age of five years old. Approximately 90% of these happen in the home.
You can prevent poisonings
- • Keep all poisons in a cabinet out of reach.
- • Use cabinet safety locks.
- • Never store food products with non-food items.
- • Store products in original containers. Make sure bottles are labeled. Never store poisons in a food or beverage container.
- • Use child-resistant containers whenever possible. Be sure they are closed properly.
- • Unused, unneeded or expired medicine should be taken out of their original containers and thrown in the trash. Medicine should not flushed down the toilet or drains unless the accompanying patient information specifically instructs that it is safe to do.
- • Wear your glasses and keep the lights on when taking medicine.
- • Never call medicine candy. Children should understand the difference.
- • Keep plants up high and out of reach. Some plants are poisonous.
- • Teach children to always ask an adult before eating, drinking or touching anything.
- • Read the label and follow directions for medicines and cleaning products.
- • Install carbon monoxide detectors in sleeping areas.
- • Post the Poison Control Center telephone number (800-222-1222) on all telephones in your home.
Do you know when to suspect that a poisoning has happened?
- • an open container nearby
- • pills, berries, etc. in the mouth
- • strange odor on the breath
- • burns around the mouth
- • upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting
- • dizziness or unconsciousness
Stay Calm! Act Fast!
For more information about the NYC Poison Control Center call 212-POISONS (212-764-7667) or 800-222-1222.
