Health & Family | spring 2006

Keep Poison Away from Young Ones

Every year, many young children swallow bleach, drain cleaner, and other poisonous household cleaners. Children like to explore and taste new things.

But there’s plenty you can do to make your home safe:

  • Store harmful products in a cupboard. Make sure the cupboard has a lock or child safety latch. Or place them on a high shelf so they’re out of sight and reach.
  • Keep products in the original bottles that they came in. Be sure you can read the label. Never use milk cartons or soda bottles to store household cleaners.
  • After you’ve finished using a household cleaner, close it tightly and put it back where it belongs.
  • Get rid of drugs that are out of date.

Act fast if you think someone has been poisoned.

  1. Stay calm.
  2. Call 1-800-222-1222 to reach a Poison Control Center near you.
  3. Tell the poison specialist what happened.
  4. Follow the directions that the Poison Center gives you.