Be sure to share this information with grandparents and other caregivers to help them “poison-proof” their homes. Many caregivers are not up-to-date about poison dangers and how to avoid these dangers.

Poisonings can happen for many reasons:

• Young children like to explore, often by putting things in their mouths.

• Children often get into things their parents didn’t think they could. For instance, kids may be able to reach items on high counters or in open cabinets.

• Children often copy adult behavior. So they might try to use a product, such as medicine, without knowing the dangers.

• Children are attracted to bright colors and appealing scents. This can be dangerous, for instance, if a child doesn’t know that a lemon-scented floor cleaner is not something to drink.

• Kids are at higher risk than adults of poisoning from the same amount of poison. This is because children are smaller and their bodies are affected more easily.

The tips below can help prevent a poisoning in your home.

• Store toxic products and substances out of reach of children. Keep them in a locked cabinet.

• Store products in their original containers. Never transfer products from one container to another, especially to food or beverage containers. This can confuse children. It can also cause problems in identifying the product in case of a poisoning.

• Buy products in child-resistant packaging. But keep in mind that no container is childproof, even with a safety cap.

• Buy products wisely. Choose the least toxic product for your purpose. For instance, avoid buying concentrates. They are far more hazardous than ready-to-use chemicals.

• Never mix together cleaning products, especially those containing ammonia and bleach. This can produce dangerous fumes.

• Read labels to find out what products are poisonous. And follow all safety precautions on product labels.

• Don’t keep risky items in your purse, such as medicines and vitamins. Kids can often get into your purse.

Following are household products that can pose a poisoning risk to children.

Being ready for a poisoning can save valuable time. Here are tips to help you be prepared:

• Have emergency contact information available at all times:

  • Post the national poison center phone number (800-222-1222) near every phone in your home. Also post your home address. This can be easy to forget in an emergency.

  • Program emergency numbers into your phone’s speed dial.

  • Post emergency information on the refrigerator. Emergency responders are trained to look there. Include details on long-term medicines and medicine allergies for each family member. Also include your family’s emergency contact phone numbers.

• Teach your child about poisons and how to respond in an emergency (see box below).

• In case of a poisoning, know the name of the product or substance involved in the poisoning when you call poison control. If possible, have the container of the poison with you.

Teaching your child about poisons and their dangers can help prevent a disaster. Tell your kids the following:

• Certain products and substances can hurt them. Tell kids to never touch them.

• All spills of chemicals or other dangerous substances should be handled by adults.

• To memorize their address as soon as they can learn it.

• How to call 911 or emergency services and poison control. Unplug the phone and have kids practice dialing.

For more information, visit www.poison.org.