Homes hold cozy and wonderful memories during the holidays, especially when families gather from near and far. But could your home be a danger for young children who are coming to visit? With some simple poison safety tips from the West Virginia Poison Center, your home can be a safe place for ALL the people you love.
Put dangers up and away: Keep children away from your home’s most dangerous products by putting all potential dangers up and away. Be sure to child-proof places common potential poisons, like household cleaners, are kept.
If you don’t use it, lose it: If you have products you don’t regularly use in your home, such as expired medication or cleaning supplies, consider properly disposing of them. If dangerous products are not in your home, a loved one cannot get into them.
Don’t keep medicine out: Do not keep any medications (prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, or herbals) out. It is extremely important to make sure all medicines are up high and out of reach of children. If you are visiting a home during the holidays, immediately put all medications from your purse or luggage up and away.
Childproofing is not fool-proof: Even with childproofing, children are quick and accidents happen. Consider putting the West Virginia Poison Center’s number (1-800-222-1222) in a quick to reach spot and into your cell phone before you need it.
Poisoned? Not sure? – Call the West Virginia Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. Medical experts at the West Virginia Poison Center are available 24/7, even during the holidays, to answer calls about poison emergencies and poison questions.