Child Safety Tips
What is a Poison?
В
There are many products that we do not normally think of as poisons that may be harmful.
You may not be aware that poisons may take different forms, i.e. solids, liquids, sprays and invisible. Two solids, which rank very high on the poison list, are plants and medications.
Plants - Both indoor and outdoor, are the cause of many poisonings. Children must be warned about eating berries or any other part of a plant, shrub or tree. Plant owners should know the names of their plants.
Medications – Common medications are aspirin, vitamins, sleeping aids, birth control pills and tranquilizers. Tightly closed, child resistant caps offer safest protection from accidental ingestion.
Sprays - Aerosol sprays present several types of dangers. They may explode. They may cause heart and lung damage if inhaled in large amounts. They may be highly flammable. Aerosol products are sprayed from the can with such force that they can literally “sand blast” or even freeze the cornea (the clear covering over the colored part of the eye) if it is directed at someone’s face.
Liquids – Poison may come in many forms; it may be watery thin, it may be thick like furniture polish, or may even be as thick as a cosmetic cleaning cream.
Invisible - A number of invisible poisons may strike in or near American homes. Fumes from gas of oil burning stoves, hot water heaters or furnaces – fumes from a charcoal grill allowed to burn in an enclosed area – exhaust fumes from cars, trucks, buses, and motor bikes – industrial pollution in the air – all may enter the body through the nose and lungs.
В
What to do in case of poisoning
Whether the poison is swallowed, inhaled or splashed in the eyes or on the skin, you should call your local Poison Control Center and they will tell you step-by-step what to do. When you call the Poison Center, identify the item; tell them the type of substance it is (plant, drug, cosmetic, gasoline, cleaning fluids) and the brand name if known. Save the container or portion of the plant to bring to the emergency room if necessary. The Poison Center will tell you what to do, what signs to watch for and whether or not the child should be forced to vomit or be taken to the emergency room.
...