Poison-Proofing Your Home

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Keep all drugs and chemicals locked up or out of reach. Store them in childproof containers. Place child safety latches on cabinets and drawers that contain dangerous products.
• Keep all drugs and household products in their original containers. Don't store dangerous liquids in soft drink bottles.
• Don't leave medicines or household products sitting out, especially when you are called to the telephone or door.
• Don't leave medicine in a purse. Keep your guests' purses out of reach.
• Never call a medicine ""candy.''
• Put alcoholic beverages away after a party. Keep them out of reach of children. Don't leave partly filled glasses or open bottles or cans sitting out.
• Keep cigarettes and ashtrays out of reach.
• Check your house plants. Some varieties can make children sick. Teach your children not to put anything from a plant in their mouths.
• Keep a bottle of the poison remedy called syrup of ipecac in your medicine cabinet. (Check with your doctor or a poison control center before using this remedy. For certain types of poisoning, it MUST NOT be used.)
• Keep the telephone number of the nearest Poison Control Center next to each phone in your home.
• Go through each room in your house and look for anything that could harm a child. If you find any potentially dangerous items, remove them or put them in a safe location.
• In the KITCHEN:
  • Keep dishwashing soaps, drain cleaner, scouring pads, and oven cleaners out of reach. Don't store them under the sink.
• In the BATHROOM:
  • Keep toilet cleaner, medicines, sprays, powders, makeup, fingernail polish and remover, hair care products, aftershave lotions, and mouthwash out of reach.
  • Both prescription and nonprescription medicines can be dangerous. The most dangerous nonprescription medicines are aspirin and iron pills.
  • Keep the safety cap on all medicines. Flush old medicine down the toilet.
• In the BEDROOM:
  • Don't leave medicine on your dresser or nightstand.
  • Keep all perfume and makeup out of reach.
• In the LAUNDRY AREA:
  • Keep detergents, soaps, bleach, fabric softener, and sprays out of reach.
• In the GARAGE AND BASEMENT:
  • Keep gasoline and car care products, insect sprays, weed killers, turpentine, paint, paint thinner, antifreeze, and grease remover locked up or out of reach.

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