How to Poison-Proof (Part II)

Poison-Proof Your Home – Part II

By Dr Sandy Zabaneh

In January’s issue of Family Flavours, we introduced you to possible dangers lurking in your home.  In this second part we provide you with some useful safety tips.

Stay safe

1. Keep poisons and medications in original containers.
2. All potentially toxic substances should be kept out of children’s reach (including toothpastes, cigarettes, dirty ashtrays, mouthwashes, gasoline and household cleaners).
3. Never put poisons in food or drink containers.
4. Always keep poisons in child-resistant bottles, as they are more difficult to open.  Given enough time, however, children can still open them!
5. Any child-accessible cabinet that contains poisons should have locks or safety latches.
6. Never put medications in your purse or in your bedside drawers.
7. Discard expired medications safely; the best way is to take them to a nearby pharmacy; do not throw in open trashcans in the bathroom or kitchen where your child can access them.
8. Do not keep poisonous plants in your garden or home.
9. Never store kerosene, chemicals, medications, and household cleaners in the same area as food.
10. Make sure that heating systems, water heaters, and any other fuel burning appliances are vented properly to avoid seepage of carbon monoxide in your homes.  Carbon monoxide is called the silent killer because it is odorless, invisible and deadly.

You should …

• Avoid calling medicine “candy”.
• Avoid taking medications in front of your children because they will imitate you!
• Always check the floor for any dropped medicine pills after taking medication.
• Watch your child in other people’s homes, especially at jido and teta’s because those homes might not be poison-proofed.
• Empty all ashtrays and keep all tobacco products away from children.
• Never let anything interrupt you while giving your child medicine; distractions such as phone calls or doorbells, can cause you to inadvertently leave opened bottles of medicine within the reach of children.
• Discard any toys that have chipped paint and do not let your child put any toys or jewellery coated with paint in her mouth.
• Never let a young child play with magnetic toys.
• Unload anything potentially dangerous from your grocery bag before doing anything else.

Teach your child that …

• She must always ask an adult before they eat, taste or drink anything.
• She should never sniff something or rub anything on her skin without asking an adult.
• Many poisons look like food or drink.
• Poisons can cause sickness or even death.
• She should never eat plants, flowers, berries and fruits from the garden or outside because they may be poisonous.
• Scorpions hide in dark quiet places, such as under rocks, stones, closets, basements and even sleeping bags.
• Hand-sanitizers should not be put in mouths and to use a small amount; explain that it should only be used if soap and water are unavailable.
• Only a pea-size amount of toothpaste should be used and that it should not be swallowed; explain that it is good for her teeth, not her stomach!
• She must not walk barefoot outside to avoid bites and stings.
• Older siblings should watch out for their younger siblings; tell them to act as another pair of eyes and to take dangerous products away from younger children and to report anything suspicious to you.

We will be concluding this series on poison prevention with first aid tips in next month’s issue.

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