All too often, children’s curiosity can lead to accidental poisoning

California Poison Control System warns that nearly seven out of 10 pediatric poisonings happen at home, so it is important to take steps to keep them safe from common poisonings inside your home.

In fact, a study, “Trends in Childhood Poison Exposures and Fatalities,” found that every hour seven children younger than 6 are seen in emergency departments for unintentional pharmaceutical poisonings. The same study found that cosmetics, personal care products, and household cleaning supplies also presented a danger to young children.

“With proper precautions most of these incidents are preventable,” said Cyrus Rangan, M.D., a pediatrician and medical toxicologist with CPCS. “It’s important to be aware of items that can be dangerous to your child and take steps to prevent a situation that can become an emergency.”

Seven tips to make a child and baby safe home 

• Be aware that some common household and personal care products can be attractive to children since they have bright colors, interesting containers and a sweet smell.
• Store cleaning supplies in their original containers.
• Never use empty household containers, such as food containers or water bottles to store nonfood substances.
• Store all your pain medications, vitamins and any other pills, in locked cabinets up and away from the reach of children.
• Use child-resistant packaging and replace the caps tightly.
• Remember child-resistant does not mean a child cannot get into it.
• Keep cosmetics and personal care items where children cannot see or reach them.

“Proper storage of any potentially dangerous items that your child might encounter in your home is absolutely key,” adds Rangan. “But, if despite your best efforts, you think your child may have been exposed to something dangerous, call CPCS at (800) 222-1222. We’re available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

For more about how to protect children and infants, see this CPCS video.

About CPCS
Call Poison Control at (800) 222-1222 (number is the same in all states) for questions about poison encounters. Trained pharmacists, nurses and other providers are available to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is free, confidential and interpreters are available. Get weekly tips about safety by texting TIPS to 20121 for English or texting PUNTOS to 20121 for Spanish. Follow CPCS on Facebook and on Twitter @poisoninfo. CPCS is part of the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy and is responsible to the California Emergency Medical Services Authority.