Poison
Prevention
If you suspect a poisoning:
1. Stay calm. Keep the child calm.
2. Look in the child's mouth. Remove any remaining pills, pieces of plants, etc.
3. Take the child and the poison to a phone. Call the poison center or your doctor. Be prepared to give the child's age, weight, the product name, and the amount swallowed.
4. Follow their directions. Never give the child ANYTHING (even Ipecac) without first calling a poison center or doctor. Good intentions could cause more harm.
Remember...
Prevent
poisoning, but be prepared. Many accidental poisonings can be treated
safely at home, but get medical advice first.
Find
the number of your local poison control center. Ask your doctor for the
number or look on the first page of your phone book. Write the number
and tape it by your phone.
Keep
Syrup of Ipecac in your home. Take it on vacation, to grandparents'
homes, and wherever your children regularly visit. Ipecac is a treatment
for some types of poisonings as it causes vomiting. Most drugstores sell
it for under $2.00. CAUTION: Never give a child Ipecac or anything else
without first getting medical advice.
Common
household items like medicines, make-up, cleaning products, and plants
account for most home poisonings.