|
Most people know how to call their local Poison Control - by simply dialing 1-800-222-1222.
Do you know when to call though?
Do you know how to make the most of your call for help?
In general, you can call poison control any time that your child eats, drinks, or has contact with something that can hurt them. That includes real poisons, household cleaners, personal care items, prescription or OTC medicines, vitamins, and things like gasoline, paint thinner, and other household chemicals.
There are many other things that could warrant a call to poison control though, including snake and spider bites, swallowing a miniature button battery, or eating part of a toxic plant.
As you call poison control, be prepared to tell the poison control expert:
- Your child's age.
- Your child's weight.
- Any existing health conditions or problems that your child has.
- The substance involved and how it contacted your child. For example, was it swallowed, inhaled, absorbed through skin contact, or splashed into the eyes? How long ago did they swallow or inhale the substance?
- Any first aid which may have been given.
- If your child has vomited.
- Your location, and how long it will take you to get to the hospital.
Since you will likely have to think fast in an emergency when you call poison control, it may help to have your child's health information already written on a piece of paper, along with the number to poison control, and keep it close to the phone.
To reduce your child's risk of unintentional poisonings, the Consumer Product Safety Commission also advises that parents and caregivers follow these basic poison prevention tips:
- Keep all household products and medicines locked up, out of sight and out of reach.
- Use child-resistant packaging properly by closing the container securely after each use or choose child-resistant unit packaging, which does not need to be re-secured.
- Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately in case of poisoning.
- When products are in use, keep children in your sight, even if you must take them along when answering the phone or doorbell.
- Keep items in original containers.
- Leave the original labels on all products, and read the label before using.
- Do not put decorative lamps and candles that contain lamp oil where children can reach them. Lamp oil can be very toxic if ingested by young children.
- Always turn the light on when giving or taking medicine so you can see what you are taking. Check the dosage every time.
- Avoid taking medicine in front of children.
- Clean out the medicine cabinet periodically and safely dispose of unneeded and outdated medicines.
Also remember that new recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics advise that parents should not use syrup of ipecac 'routinely as a poison treatment intervention in the home' and that parents should 'safely dispose of the syrup of ipecac currently in their homes.'
|
