Ways to prevent poisoning at home
The average home is full of potentially poisonous items. From cleaning products to medications to foods and beverages, a host of items around the house can make a person sick or prove fatal.
In 2020, 55 poison-control centers in the United States provided telephone guidance for more than 2.1 million human poison exposures. That equates to one poison exposure reported to the centers every 15 seconds. In 2021, poison-control centers across Canada experienced an uptick in calls regarding individuals taking veterinary-grade ivermectin in an attempt to treat and prevent COVID-19, according to CTV-News.
WebMD indicates that almost all poison exposures occur in homes, and 80 percent of all poisonings affect children ages 1 to 4. Accidental poisonings are scary but largely preventable. These tips can help prevent injury or fatalities.
• Lock up: Install locks and childproof latches on cabinets and other places where dangerous substances are kept, including cleaning products and medications.
• Original containers: Keep all substances in their original containers, including medicines. Individuals can accidentally ingest the wrong medication if products are moved into other containers.
• Install alarms: Maintain carbon-monoxide detectors throughout the house, including near bedrooms and close to furnaces.
• Discard old food: Check expiration dates, and examine canned or boxed foods for spoilage. Eating food that has spoiled or is not cooked to the right temperature can result in food poisoning.
• Don’t mix chemicals: Never mix chemical products, which can produce fumes or dangerous reactions.
• Recognize poisonous plants: Research which plants may be poisonous if touched or ingested. Philodendrons, dieffenbachia, oleander and golden pothos are some of the indoor plants that can be dangerous to children and pets.
• Avoid sprayed areas: Stay away from lawns and gardens that have recently been sprayed with pesticides or fertilizers.
• Safely dispose of certain products: Make sure to properly dispose of chemical products such as paints, cleansers, stain removers and the like. Check with municipal recycling centers about how to safely discard items.
• Poisonous animals: Know which poisonous animals and plants reside nearby. Mushrooms, snakes and insects can be dangerous.