Poison Prevention Safe Kids

Presented by Stone County Health Dept. Chrisy Pollard RN

Learning Objectives:  Identify potential poisonous items and substances in everyday environment  Describe strategies to prevent accidental poison exposures  Observe proper safekeeping of medications in the child care environment  Review first aid for accidental poisoning  Verbalize information needed when contacting poison control call center

What is a Poison?  Anything someone eats, breathes, gets in the eyes or on the skin which causes sickness or death  Comes in different forms:  Solid  Liquid  Gas / Spray

What is the Problem?? Stated by Safe Kids Research Poison centers answer more than 1 million calls a year about a child under age 5

Statistics

Poisons Are Everywhere!  Laundry area – bleach, laundry detergent, etc.  Garage/basement gasoline, weed killer, antifreeze, pesticides  Outside – plants, mushrooms  Kitchen – cleaners, detergents, meds  Bathrooms – meds, cosmetics, hair products, mouthwash  Bedroom – meds, jewelry, plants, coins, button batteries  Diaper changing area- ointments, baby powder

Things Look Alike!!

Why Are Kids At Risk?  Child’s curious nature – they like to explore, taste, and touch to learn  Improper storage – the poisons are within reach of children  Child care provider distracted – telephone, meal preparation, other children, etc.  MOST POISONINGS OCCUR WHEN PRODUCT IS IN USE

Top Poisonings  Pain Relievers  Cosmetics/personal care products  Household cleaning products  Sedatives/sleeping pills/psych drugs  Foreign bodies/toys/misc  Topical preparations  Antidepressants  Heart Medications  Antihistamines  Pesticides

Toxic Substances  Radon  Lead  Arts/Crafts material  Plants  Seasonal

Lets Prevent Poisonings!  Keep poisons out of the reach of children  Do NOT leave children alone or unattended  Be aware of all possible hazards in the setting ( have material data sheets on them)  There is no such thing as “child proof”  Teach children to ask first before putting anything in mouth  Never call medicine candy

The Material Safety Data Sheet ( MSDS ) is a detailed information bulletin prepared by the manufacturer or importer of a chemical that describes the physical and chemical properties, physical and health hazards, routes of exposure, precautions for safe handling and use, emergency and first-aid procedures, and control...

What If Someone Is Poisoned?  Stay calm, but don’t wait for the person to look or feel sick; some poisonings have a delayed effect  If person is unconscious, having convulsions or difficulty breathing call 911  Otherwise call Poison Control

First Aid For Poisoning  Swallowed  Inhaled  On the skin  In the eye  Do not give anything, call Poison Control  Get victim to fresh air, call Poison Control  Remove contaminated clothing and rinse skin with water for 10 mins, call Poison Control  Flush eye for 15 mins using large cup lukewarm water held 2 to 4 inches from eye, call Poison Control

Calling Poison Control  Questions the Poison Control specialist may ask:  - how the person is feeling or acting  - age and weight of person  - name and description of medicine, product or plant (have container with you)  - amount taken  - when it happened  - name and phone number

Poison Control Is :  Free and confidential  Available 24/7 every day of the year  The place to call for poison help  Staffed by nurses and pharmacists who answer the phones and want to help you  Don’t be afraid to call! Only the people helping you will know your name

Conclusion  Poisons are all around us. We come in contact with them every day  Awareness and simple safety precautions can help keep kids we care for safe  Take action – check the setting for possible dangers  Never hesitate to call Missouri Poison Control for help

Resources   stone county  Poisonhelp.hrsa.gov; seasonal tips  Utah poison control center; Babysitter’s Guide to Poison Prevention  Images from Safe Kids Worldwide and Poison Control