Learn how to poison-proof your home to make it safer
Any day of the year is an appropriate time to discuss lowering the risk for household poisoning — but especially as we approach the end of the school year, with children spending more time at home.
Mission Hospital McDowell (MHM) is fortunate to have talented pediatrician Dr. Jerald DeLaGarza treating children and educating families about these and other important issues. He kindly served as our content expert for this column, which offers important, lifesaving information for families.
Poisonous agents abound, especially in the home, and raising awareness is critical to keeping our children safe.
Dr. DeLaGarza notes that kitchens contain household cleaners like dishwashing liquid and dishwasher pods, which often catch the eyes of children because they’re brightly colored and resemble candy. Children can also easily access cleaning sprays and other hazardous materials when stored under the sink. The laundry room presents a similar scenario and is also a place where many cleaning supplies are stored, in addition to laundry liquid, powder, and pods. Keeping these locked or out of reach is essential.
In the bathroom, we should make sure that all medications — both prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin — are safely out of reach of children. They should either be stored in a high place where they cannot be reached, or in a locked container.
Other products that pose poisoning risks are toiletries like lotions, makeup, colognes, and even mouthwash. Its minty taste attracts children, who may ingest a dangerous amount.
“A family can childproof extensively,” says Dr. DeLaGarza, “and still end up in the Emergency Room because a dangerous product was on the counter or elsewhere within reach of a child for just a minute. All it takes is for a parent to turn their back briefly.” He adds that even when mopping the floor, mobile and curious children have fallen into a bucket filled with water and cleaning solution. In addition to a poisoning risk, the danger of drowning is present as well.
Dr. DeLaGarza also shares that we should be mindful of the vessels we put poisonous liquids into. For example, families might store something very toxic — yet sweet-tasting — like antifreeze, in a milk jug in the garage. Children will associate the jug with something safe and poison themselves by drinking it.
A valuable piece of advice that Dr. DeLaGarza offers is to take a tour of your own home, but from the vantage point of a crawling baby or newly mobile toddler. “Everything imaginable gathers under furniture which can harm children if ingested, from coins or dropped pills to the back of an earring.”
When it comes to medication, Dr. DeLaGarza advises that parents not refer to children’s vitamins, for example, as “candy,” so they don’t get the wrong idea. Children’s vitamins and medications should also be stored securely at all times.
Adults should also take their own medication out of sight of children, because of a child’s natural tendency to imitate what they see.
Dr. DeLaGarza encourages parents to be aware of what’s outside their homes too. In addition to insect stings and things like poison ivy, which we have less control over, he states that children have been known to eat flower bulbs before they’re planted, and to keep them out of reach. Additionally, don’t put animal bait and traps around the perimeter of your home for a child to encounter.
Secure medication storage remains when kids enter adolescence. Unfortunately, there’s a trend now where teens will take some prescription medications of their parents’ out of the house, get together, throw them all in a bowl, and then take a random sampling. These events are dubbed “pharm parties.”
Whenever you realize a prescription medication is no longer needed, such as pain medications from that surgery months ago, it’s best to safely dispose of them — either at the annual drug takeback event at Mission Hospital McDowell or many drugstores/pharmacies offer a secure receptable where people can dispose of unneeded prescription medications.
Dr. DeLaGarza also urges families to communicate with grandparents who may be visiting, for example, and establish a plan to place purses out of reach of children, since they may also contain medications.
To eliminate confusion and boost safety, adults should also organize their own medications with a pill organizer (though these are not child-proof) so they can keep track of what medications they’ve taken and when.
Poisoning symptoms include nausea and vomiting, breathing problems, diarrhea, rapid or slowed heart rate, and swelling or burns in the mouth area. Individuals can also become confused, dizzy, and even unresponsive.
The most important thing is to post the number for Poison Control prominently in your home: 1-800-222-1222. Families can also visit Poison Control for general guidelines, but they shouldn’t treat their children without getting medical advice from a professional. For example, it used to be that parents were advised to use Ipecac, a drug that would force a child to vomit, if poisoning was suspected. This is no longer recommended, and the first step should be calling Poison Control or 9-1-1.
By taking steps to prevent something tragic from happening, children can remain safe and healthy.
Lee Higginbotham is Chief Executive Officer of Mission Hospital McDowell in Marion. He is an accomplished healthcare leader with nearly three decades of diverse experience in healthcare. A native of Charlottesville, Virginia, Higginbotham earned his Master of Health Care Administration (MHA) from The Medical College of Virginia and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He resides in Marion. Lee is most proud to be a husband to his best friend and father of three remarkable children.