Poisoning can occur at anytime and to anyone. This week, a national campaign hopes to raise awareness about that danger. Daling McMoran, from the KU Med Poison Control Center, gave us tips to protect our families from accidental poisonings.
KU Med’s Poison prevention tips
- Practice poison prevention every day at home.
- Keep chemicals and medications locked up and out of reach of children.
- Never let children handle or use chemicals.
- Turn on the lights when taking medications during the night to avoid taking the wrong medication.
- Circle dosing directions on bottle so you can quickly and easily find them.
- Never set your purse or diaper bag within reach of children.
- Read the label before using a chemical and follow the recommended precautions.
- Keep chemicals in their original containers. Some very dangerous household chemicals come packaged in containers resembling food products and many automotive chemicals look like the fruity drinks to children. Never put these chemicals into a used drink bottle.
- If possible, pre-program your phone to speed dial the Poison Control Center(1-800-222-1222). Otherwise, keep the number posted close to the phone.