Radio Commentary
We’ve made much progress in
reducing the number of children accidentally poisoned each year. Much of the
credit is due to public education on the topic.
But vigilance is important and some
simple precautions are critical:
• Keep medicines in their original
child-proof containers, stored out of reach.
• Follow doctor’s instructions
carefully when giving medicine to children.
• Store household cleaners safely —
a high percentage of poisonings involve everyday cleaning products, cosmetics,
cough and cold remedies, antibiotics, and vitamins.
• Teach children never to eat
anything you haven’t approved.
A typical household contains
products such as bleach, fertilizers, or paint stripper that can be fatal to a
child.
If your child swallows a poison,
you must act quickly and calmly:
• If the child is conscious,
determine exactly what was swallowed. The child could lose consciousness at any
time.
• Call 911 or the local poison
control center.
• Have the container on hand so you
can tell the center the exact contents of what was swallowed. If the child must
go to the hospital, be sure to take the poison container with you for the
doctors on the scene.
• Stay calm and give the
professionals short, precise answers because time is often critical.
