American Association of Poison Control Centers
1 (800) 222-1222 – www.aapcc.org
Open 24 hours a day 7 days a week

Poisoning is injury or death due to swallowing, inhaling, touching or injecting various drugs, chemicals, venoms or gases. Many substances — such as drugs and carbon monoxide — are poisonous only in higher concentrations or dosages. And others — such as cleaners — are dangerous only if ingested. Children are particularly sensitive to even small amounts of certain drugs and chemicals.

Poison Precautions and Prevention

More than 2 million poisonings are reported each year across the country. The Red Cross urges people to follow these steps to help prevent, treat and respond to poisoning:

• If you suspect a poisoning emergency, call the National Poison Control Center toll-free at (800) 222-1222. Post this and other emergency phone numbers by all of your telephones.
• Keep all chemicals and medicines locked up and out of sight.
• Be careful when handling substances, chemicals and cleaners that could be harmful. Only use them in well-ventilated areas and wear protective clothing, such as gloves and a face mask.
• Use common sense with your own medications.
• Keep medications in the containers they came in. Make sure they are kept out of children’s reach.
• Read the product information carefully. Use only as directed.
• Be aware of the possible side effects and any possible interactions with other medications you are taking. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Never use another person’s prescribed medications or medications that have expired.

Poisons can be swallowed, inhaled, absorbed or injected

If you suspect a poisoning:

• Check the scene and the person. Try to find out what poison was taken. Look for any containers and take them with you to the phone.
• Call the National Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222 and follow their instructions.
• Care for any life threatening conditions found. DO NOT give the person anything to eat or drink unless directed to do so by the National Poison Control Center or Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel.

HOUSEHOLD POISONS

Unfortunately, there are seemingly harmless things all over your home that have the potential to be seriously dangerous. Beware of the following:

Household Plants

They make look pretty, but plants are deceptively dangerous if you have children or pets running around the house. Popular varieties like daffodil, iris, lily-of-the-valley, ivy, and even mistletoe are poisonous when consumed. They contain toxins or dangerous chemicals to protect themselves from insects, animals—and yes, humans. So play it safe and keep them out of your home if you’ve got curious pets or small children.

Cleaning Products

Many cleaning products can cause chemical burns: these can be just as bad as burns from a fire. Products that cause chemical burns include drain openers, toilet bowl cleaners, rust removers, and oven cleaners.

Pesticides:

Chemicals to kill bugs and other pest must be used carefully to keep them from harming humans. Many pesticides can be absorbed through the skin. Many can enter the body by breathing in the fumes. Some can affect the nervous system and can make it hard to breathe.

Midol:

It’s not just this cramp reliever, but any medication with acetaminophen (APAP)—Tylenol, Excedrin, Pamprin, Mucinex, Robitussin, Vicks—that can be life-threatening when you consume too much of it. Plenty of people use these medicines safely every day, but there are also approximately 500 deaths related to APAP overdoses each year. Large amounts of APAP can overwhelm the liver and cause liver damage, so to avoid overdosing the researchers say you shouldn’t consume more than 3,000 mg per day.

Toothpaste:

The warning is right there on the label: “Seek immediate medical help if you ingest toothpaste.” If you consume too much, the overdose can cause stomach pain and intestinal blockage. But if the toothpaste contains fluoride, as most do these days, it gets far more serious—convulsions, difficulty breathing, and heart attack (amongst other scary side effects). We’re not suggesting that you avoid toothpaste (no one wants stinky breath, but make sure you and your children are using the designated pea-sized amount, and thoroughly rinsing with each brush.

MAKE SURE HAZARDOUS MATERIAL IS ALWAYS OUT OF THE REACH OF YOUR CHILDREN.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide has no smell or taste; it is a byproduct of combustion. Humans and other animals with lungs cannot tell when they are breathing in carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide competes with oxygen for binding sites on hemoglobin. Hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen from our lungs to tissues in our body. It then returns carbon dioxide from the tissues.

• Install a carbon monoxide alarm in the hallways near sleeping areas, avoiding corners where air does not circulate, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to test the alarm every month.
• Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, and confusion. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, get outside to fresh air immediately and then call 911.

Prepared in Partnership between Desert Hot Springs Emergency Preparedness CERT Committee and the Palm Springs Unified School District
www.DHSEPCERT.org – Email: DHSCERT@gmail.com