MORE THAN 80 PERCENT OF AMERICAN HOMES LEAVE CHILDREN AT RISK OF POISON DANGERS

The Home Safety Council Works to Promote Safe Handling and Proper Storage to Reduce Risks at Home

New research shows that young children are at greatest risk of household poison exposures and according to the nonprofit Home Safety Council, the majority of American homes leave children at risk by not securing dangerous materials at home. In response, the Home Safety Council is working to raise poison prevention awareness and promote safe handling and storage practices in American homes.

Many items that can cause some of the most dangerous poison exposures are commonly found in homes, including automotive fluids, pesticides, medications and household cleaners. Surprisingly, Home Safety Council research finds that more than 80 percent of homes with young children report leaving medicines in unsecured locations and more than 50 percent report leaving dangerous household chemicals, such as bleach, kerosene or pesticides, in unsecured locations.

“Poisonings are the second leading cause of home injury related death in America, and children under the age of six suffer the highest rate of poison exposures,” said Home Safety Council president Meri-K Appy. “Safe storage and use, coupled with an adult’s watchful eye, should become a standard practice. Every family should keep the national Poison Control Center hotline along with other emergency numbers next to every phone.” The hotline is 1-800-222-1222.

The Home Safety Council recommends that families identify where hazardous materials are stored in the home, including the kitchen, bathroom and garage areas, and properly secure the materials to avoid a poisoning incident. Consider the following handling and storage advice:

Safe Storage of Medications, Chemicals and Cleaners

• Walk through the most common rooms where potentially harmful products are stored, including the kitchen, bathrooms and garage.
• Make sure all potentially dangerous products (household cleaners, medicines and typical garage items like antifreeze and pesticides) all have child resistant closures on them, are locked up, and are stored in high places.
• Always keep original labels on product containers. Labels often give important first-aid information.
• Read product labels carefully. If you see the word "Caution" or "Warning" or "Danger" on the label, be very careful. Follow the directions on the container and store the product in a locked place when you are finished using it.
• Homes with young children should have child locks installed on cabinets.
• Store food and non-food products separately. This protects families in the event of a leak in the product and reduces any possible confusion between items.
• Make sure all medicines and prescriptions have not expired. If they have expired, they should be flushed down the toilet rather than thrown away in the garbage.
• Lock medicines and medical supplies, including personal syringes, in a medicine cabinet or other locking cabinet and secure the key.
• Do not store medicines inside purses, nightstand drawers or other locations easily accessed by children.
• Store only a small amount of gasoline and always in an approved container. Because of its highly volatile, flammable vapors, gasoline must never be brought indoors, even in tiny quantities.

Handling Chemicals the Safe Way

• Never transfer dangerous products to glass jars, soft drink bottles or other containers.
• Do not mix household products. Their contents can react together with dangerous results.
• Immediately mop up puddles of anti-freeze and car oil in the garage or driveway. They are extremely harmful to children and pets.
• Read the use and storage directions before using products.
• Wear gloves and follow manufacturer’s instructions when using harsh chemicals or cleaners.
• Promptly put away products after use and immediately wipe up spills.
• To prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, have your home fuel-burning equipment inspected annually, including heating and cooking equipment. Install a UL-listed CO alarm near every sleeping area.

Poison Control Hotline: 1-800-222-1222

Every Poison Control Center in the country can be reached by calling the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) nationwide hotline, 1-800-222-1222. Post the hotline, along with other emergency numbers near every phone. Use the hotline to call immediately in the event of a possible poisoning. The hotline also provides local poison control information. For more information on how to eliminate poison dangers at home, visit www.homesafetycouncil.org or www.1-800-222-1222.info.