More than two million potential poison exposures are reported every year to American poison control centers. More than 90% of these poisoning occur in the home, and a majority of these occur with children 5 years of age and younger.

Though calls regarding children still make up more than half of all calls to poison control centers, they only account for a small percent of the deaths due to poisoning. Poisoning of adults is on the rise in our nation and only stands behind motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of unintentional injury deaths.

Over 1000 Americans die from poisoning every year.

You can help prevent poisoning. Here’s a few ways:

• Keep medicines and household products in their original containers in a different place than food.
• Always read product labels and follow any directions.
• Keep household products and medicines locked up. Put them where kids can’t see them or reach them.
• Buy products with child-resistant packaging. But remember, nothing is child-proof.
• Never call medicine “candy.” Poisons may look like food or drink. Teach children to ask an adult before tasting anything.
• Learn about products and drugs that young people use to get “high.” Talk to your teen or pre-teen about these dangers.
• Have a working carbon monoxide alarm in your home.

If you think someone has been poisoned, you should call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Serious poisonings don’t always have early signs.

Be safe out there!

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