Each year, millions of people are exposed to poisonous substances, including many young children.* Most poisonings happen at home.** Common household items, such as cleaning products and medications, can be dangerous if they are swallowed, inhaled, or used incorrectly. Learn about common poisoning risks and take simple steps to help keep your family safe.

Poison Prevention Tips For Parents

It only takes a few seconds for a child to get into something dangerous. Learn about common poisoning risks and take simple steps to help keep your child safe at home.

• Save the Poison Control phone number. Add 1-800-222-1222 to your phone. This free hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  
• Store medicines and household products safely. Keep items such as cleaning products and medications up high, out of sight, and in a locked cabinet whenever possible. Safety latches can help, but they are not completely childproof.
• Put items away after every use. Never leave medicine or household products within a child’s reach, even if you plan to use them again soon.
• Keep items with small batteries away from children. Button batteries can cause serious injuries if swallowed. Store items with these batteries, such as remote controls, key fobs, greeting cards, and children's books, out of reach.
• Secure medicine bottles. Always close medicine bottles completely after use. Child-resistant caps help prevent access but are not a guarantee that children cannot open them.
• Learn about poisonous plants. Some common household plants can be harmful if eaten. Keep potentially poisonous plants away from children and pets. Teach children not to taste, touch, or eat plants unless an adult says it is safe. Learn more about poisonous plants from the CDC.
• Give medicine safely. Check the label every time you give medicine to make sure you are using the correct dose. For liquid medicines, use the measuring device that comes with the medicine. Never use a kitchen spoon.

Drugs & Medicines

• Take medicine only as directed. Only take prescription medications that are prescribed for you. Taking medicine in a way that was not directed by a healthcare provider can be dangerous.
• Read the label before taking or giving medicine. Follow the instructions for how much to take, when to take it, and how to use it safely. If a medicine does not seem to be working, do not take extra doses. Contact your healthcare provider.
• Keep medicines in their original containers. Original packaging helps prevent mistakes, such as taking the wrong medicine or the wrong dose. If you use a pill organizer, keep the original containers nearby for reference.
• Do not combine medicines without checking first. If you take more than one medicine, talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist, or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, to learn about possible interactions.
• Never share prescription medicines. Prescription medicines are meant only for the person they were prescribed for. Store all medicines safely and keep them out of reach of children and others who should not take them.
• Monitor medicines used by children and teens. Keep track of when and how medicines are taken, and store them safely when not in use.

Household Chemicals & Carbon Monoxide

• Follow product labels. Read and follow the instructions before using or storing household chemicals. Labels explain how to use products safely and when people or pets can return to treated areas.
• Keep chemicals in their original containers. Never store cleaning products or chemicals in food or drink containers, such as water bottles, where someone could mistake them for something safe to consume.
• Never mix household chemicals. Mixing products like bleach and ammonia can create dangerous gases that can make you sick.
• Use protective equipment when needed. When using pesticides or other chemicals, follow the label instructions and wear recommended protective items, such as gloves, long sleeves, pants, socks, and shoes.
• Improve ventilation when using cleaners. Open windows or use a fan when using household cleaning products.
• Install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that you cannot see, smell, or taste. It can build up inside your home when fuel-burning appliances or equipment are not working properly or are not properly vented. Working carbon monoxide detectors can provide an early warning.
  

Food Poisoning

Each year, millions of people get sick from food poisoning. You can help protect yourself and your family by following these food safety tips:

• Wash your hands and surfaces. Wash your hands before, during, and after preparing food. Clean countertops, utensils, cutting boards, and other surfaces that come in contact with food.
• Keep raw foods separate. Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs away from foods that are ready to eat. Use separate cutting boards when possible and keep raw foods separate in your shopping cart and refrigerator.
• Cook food thoroughly. Cook meat and poultry to a safe temperature to kill harmful bacteria. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature. You cannot tell if food is fully cooked by its color or juices alone.
• Store food safely. Keep your refrigerator at 40°F or below. Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking, or within one hour if the temperature is above 90°F.
• Wash fruits and vegetables. Rinse produce under running water before eating or preparing it. Do not wash raw meat, poultry, or eggs.

Dispose of Hazardous Items

You can make your home safer by properly disposing of unused, unwanted, or expired household hazardous waste (HHW), such as medications, batteries, electronics, light bulbs, household cleaners, paint, and automotive fluids. San José residents can schedule a free drop-off appointment through Santa Clara County’s HHW disposal program at www.HHW.org.