Children & Poisoning
It was all very well to say “Drink me,” but the wise little Alice was not going to do that in a hurry. No, I’ll look first and see whether it’s marked ‘poison’ or not - Lewis Carroll
HWN Suggests
For Young Kids, Medicine Poisoning Can Happen Faster Than You Think
We can't escape poisons. But, when it comes to our children we need to do better...
Most parents will tell you they know to store medicine where children can't get it. Why then is accidental poisoning occurring so often? According to our research, when parents think about safe medicine storage, they don't always consider pills stored in purses, vitamins left on counter tops or a diaper rash remedy near a changing table. And many times, well-meaning parents may also want to keep medicine close at hand so it will be convenient for the next dose.
Featured
Find Your Local Poison Control Center
Program the Poison Help Number – 1-800-222-1222 – into your home and cell phones so you have it handy when you need it.
More Young Kids Are Getting Sick From Cannabis Edibles
As states legalize cannabis, a growing number of children are inadvertently consuming marijuana-infused foods.
Articles of Interest
Are we poisoning our children with plastic?
The chemical BPA is widely added to food and drink packaging, and more than 80% of teenagers have it in their bodies. But how dangerous is it?
Detergent Pods Pose Risk to Children, Study Finds
Critics contend that some brightly colored packets too closely resemble candy or a teething toy. Two years ago, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested the packets “might represent an emerging public health concern.”
Half of Young, American Kids Have Lead in Their Blood, Study Finds
More than 50% of the 1.1 million kids younger than 6 that were tested had some level of lead in their blood, according to a study in JAMA Pediatrics.
Medications: The Leading Cause of Accidental Poisoning Deaths in Children
Among young children, 95 percent of medication-related poisoning visits to emergency departments are caused by a child ingesting medication while unsupervised and approximately five percent are due to dosing errors made by caregivers.
More Children Are Being Poisoned By Prescription Opioids
The findings, Gaither and her co-authors say, indicate a need for public health approaches that not only address overprescribing, but also try to raise awareness about the need for safe storage of these painkillers.
Poison Prevention & Treatment Tips for Parents
Most poisonings occur when parents or caregivers are home but not paying attention. The most dangerous potential poisons are medicines, cleaning products, liquid nicotine, antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, pesticides, furniture polish, gasoline, kerosene and lamp oil.
Prevent Poisoning and Overdoses in Your Home
Unintentional poisoning includes the unsupervised ingestion of drugs or chemicals, "overdoses" or the excessive use of a drug, and exposure to environmental substances. The most common poisons include prescription and over-the-counter medications, cleaning products and personal care products. In adults, prescription drug overdose is the leading cause of unintentional injury death.
The menace of lead poisoning
Paint laced with lead lingers in rich countries and is still being manufactured in poor ones.
The myth of poisoned Halloween candy
Poison, pins, and needles in Halloween candy? It’s probably a hoax.
The Poisoning of Our Children
Children born in America today will live shorter lives than their parents and grandparents because of the obesity epidemic. Despite heightened awareness of the problem and advances in healthcare, present strategies are not working to reverse the trend.
The Top 10 Toxins that are Poisoning Your Kids
From BPA, MSG, pesticides, environmental chemicals, household cleaners, toxins in vaccines and prescription drugs, our children are exposed to a huge amount of toxic chemicals. Toxins are everywhere in our modern society. They are damaging your child’s health and causing disease.
Tips to Prevent Poisonings
Safety Tips for You, Your Family, and Friends...Unless noted, the safety tips were adapted from the American Association of Poison Control Centers’ poison prevention tips for children and adults
Resources
HealthyChildren.org
Children can get very sick if they come in contact with medicines, household products, pesticides, chemicals, or cosmetics. This can happen at any age and can cause serious reactions. However, most children who come in contact with these things are not permanently hurt if they are treated right away.
