Learn How To
Limit Your Family’s Exposure to Poisonous Chemicals With These Safety Tips
Despite
attempts to keep dangerous chemicals out of reach of your family members,
poison exposures are reported to US Poison Control Centers at least once every
fifteen seconds on average. While it may
be more commonly known that chemicals pose a risk for young
children, seniors are also considered high-risk for poisoning events. When it
comes to accidental poisoning, preventive measures are key. Continue reading to
learn more about what common household chemicals you
should be aware of and how to keep your household safe.
Household Cleaners
Some of the most hazardous chemicals can be found in common, everyday household products.
Oftentimes, we store household cleaners under our sinks
and in our pantries without a second thought. Unfortunately, this can lead to
some
dangerous situations when in the wrong hands. Here are a few things you can do
to prevent accidental poisoning from common household cleaners:
● Store food separately from
all cleaners, including your laundry products. Packaging can often look
similar, making it easier for children to mistake them for snacks and colored
drinks.
● Never mix different products together, as this
can create dangerous, poisonous
gases. Always use cleaners as directed.
● Keep products in their original packaging with
labels in place. Labels can provide important information about the product and
what to do in case of ingestion.
● Utilize child-proof locking
mechanisms on cabinets that contain cleaning products. It’s also best to store
cleaners and chemicals in high cabinets, out of reach of any family member that
shouldn’t be handling them.
● Consider switching to homemade and non-toxic
household cleaners. Try combining one part water, one part vinegar, lemon rind
and rosemary sprigs for a great scented all-purpose cleaner.
● Be sure to discard expired products that may pose
a poisoning hazard.
Medications
Both common and prescription medications can pose a major
threat when misused. Follow these tips to prevent potential medication
poisoning in your home or the home of a loved one:
● Leave medications in their original packaging and
clearly labeled.
● Store medications high up and away from a
child’s reach. Use child-proofing mechanisms on storage locations for extra
protection.
● Only take prescription medications that are
prescribed to you by a healthcare
professional.
● Keep the seniors in your life safe by organizing
their medications weekly, should they need help.
● Be sure to follow the directions
on all medications - over-the-counter or otherwise.
● Dispose of any unused, unneeded, or expired
medications.
House Plants
While not all plants pose health
concerns, it is important to know that some plants can be poisonous
to your family and pets if ingested and that others may cause burning or irritation
to the skin upon contact. The danger in common house plants can range from a
mild irritation to severe illness and even death. Consider exercising these safety tips if you
own house
plants:
● Keep all plants out of reach of pets and
children.
● Teach children not to eat plants, mushrooms, or
berries found on plants inside your home or in the yard. If you have a garden, teach them what
is and isn’t okay to eat.
● Avoid handling plants that have been sprayed with
fertilizers or pesticide.
● Do your research before bringing any plant into
your home. You might consider labeling plants to avoid confusion.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is found in fumes produced by furnaces, vehicles, generators,
stoves, lanterns, gas ranges, and more. When CO from these sources builds up in
enclosed, and even partially enclosed spaces, animals and people in
these spaces can be poisoned from breathing it in. Prevent carbon monoxide
poisoning by following these
safety tips:
● Check and change the batteries in your CO
detector every six months. Set daylight saving days as a time to do this to
easily remember.
● Have your
heating system, water heater, and other solid fuel-burning
appliances serviced each year.
● Keep vents and flues free of debris.
● Never run a motor
vehicle, generator , pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine in an
enclosed space.
● Never run a charcoal grill, lantern, or portable
camping stove indoors, even if windows are open.
In the Garage
It is not uncommon for garages to be filled with various products that
can contain toxic chemicals and invisible vapors. Aside from these products you
might store in your garage, you’ll want to be aware of things like
car exhaust fumes, gasoline fumes, carbon monoxide and paint stripper fumes as
these can be extremely harmful. Many times these fumes are undetectable by
sight and smell. Follow these
safety tips to avoid a poisoning incident:
● Keep all liquids and sprays up and away from a child’s
reach, even in a garage or workshop.
● Ensure that lids and caps to all containers are
on and secure.
● Consider purchasing a lockable cabinet to store
all liquids and sprays.
● Be sure that your garage door
is open when using motorized vehicles or equipment, however its best
to never run engines in an enclosed space.
● Clearly label all chemical and fluid
containers to avoid any confusion about its contents.
● Properly dispose of any expired or unnecessary
chemicals to limit the possibility of exposure.
If you or your child has been exposed to a poisonous chemical or has ingested a poisonous substance and is awake and alert, contact poison control at 1-800-222-1222 as soon as possible. For more information about how to keep your home safe from poisonous gases like Radon, check out the link below!
