POISON PREVENTION Tips for Caregivers of Small Children

POISON PREVENTION Tips for Caregivers of Small Children Jacqueline Kakos, Health Educator New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center

Objectives Define “Poison” Recognize common poisons in home / daycare setting Identify ways to prevent a poisoning Provide first aid tips in the event of a poisoning Highlight Poison Center services

INTRODUCTION

Introduction Introductions What does the word poison mean to you? “Poisons by Room” Activity

VIDEO

Show Video Unintentional Poisoning: Prevent, React ◦ http: //www. nyc. gov/html/doh/html/poison/poi son-kids. shtml

DISCUSSION

4 W’s of a Poison(ing) Where? What? When? Who?

4 W’s of a Poison(ing) What is a poison (technical definition)? Where Who do poisonings most often happen? is at greatest risk? When do poisoning happen most often?

A poison is… any substance that can make you sick or cause death if it is used in the wrong amount, by the wrong person or in the wrong way.

Most Poisonings Occur in the Home

Children are at Greatest Risk Curious by nature ◦ Learn by touching, tasting & exploring Poison Lack stored improperly ability to learn from experience ◦ Depending on stage of development Children like to mimic adults / siblings

Most poisonings happen when… the poisonous product in use & caregiver becomes distracted. ◦ Example: You’re cleaning the bathroom & telephone rings. Always take child with you for extra precaution

Look-a-Likes Add to Confusion Food & drink often look, taste & smell like poisonous products

How Poisons Enter the Body

Common Poisons in the Home & Prevention Tips

Medicines / Vitamins—iron Pain relievers Cough & cold medications Heart medicine High blood pressure medicine Diabetic medicine Antidepressants Narcotics—oxycontin, hydrocodone, etc.

Prevention Keep all medications out of reach of children; alert home visitors Keep in original containers ◦ Child-resistant not child-proof Carefully follow dosing instructions ◦ Use appropriate measuring device ◦ Acetaminophen OD—new formulation Never call medicine candy Check Rx labels before each administration Turn on lights & put glasses on

Household Cleaners Bleach Ammonia Window cleaner Drain & toilet cleaners Oven cleaners Soap detergents

Prevention Keep all cleaners out of reach of children Keep in original packaging Close lids tightly Avoid mixing products Use in well ventilated areas Attend to open products Call Poison Center before following first aid instructions on package

Personal Care Products / Cosmetics Mouthwash & toothpaste Nail polish remover Shampoo & soaps Talcum powder Bath oils Lotions Perfumes / colognes Topical creams (acne, athletic rub, etc. )

Prevention Keep out of reach of children Attend to open product ◦ Keep out of reach during diaper changing Close lids tightly Keep in original containers ◦ Mouthwash in child-resistant packaging

Poisons in the Garage Antifreeze Gasoline Kerosene Motor oil Paint thinner Pesticides Weed killers Window washing fluid Pool chemicals

Prevention Keep out of reach of children Close lids tightly Keep in original containers Only buy the amount that will be used ◦ Properly dispose of any left over product Handle with care ◦ Protect eyes & skin

Metals Lead - based paint ◦ Built b-4 1975 ◦ Very old cribs Foreign herbal remedies ◦ Can be laced w / heavy metals ◦ Lead in Greta Children’s jewelry ◦ May contain Cadmium

Prevention Test for lead if center built before 1975 ◦ Renovations should be done only by professionals and after hours Only purchase cribs & other sleeping compartments that are free of lead paint Call NM Poison center to evaluate product safety Never let children suck or chew on jewelry

Carbon Monoxide What is it? ◦ Tasteless, colorless, odorless gas ◦ Emitted by fuel burning appliances & motor vehicles Prevention ◦ Install CO detectors ◦ Never warm car up in garage ◦ Never use charcoal grill or generator in home or tent ◦ Inspect gas burning appliances, furnaces & chimneys annually

Toxic Craft Supplies Crayons Magic markers Glues Liquid glitters Paints Prevention: ◦ Stock only non-toxic supplies

Other Poison Dangers Plants & outdoor mushrooms ◦ Oleander, foxglove, jimson weed, berries Venomous creatures ◦ Rattlesnakes, bees, scorpions & spiders Foreign objects ◦ Button batteries & hearing aids Expired / ill – prepared foods Concentrated alcohol (hard liquor)

Beware of what lurks in your purse!

First aid

Emergency Action for Poisoning Remain Calm 2. If a person is or becomes unconscious, has trouble breathing or convulsing call 911 right away! 3. Perform Appropriate First Aid 1. o o 4. Swallowed – do not give anything Inhaled – get victim to fresh air On skin – remove clothing, rinse w / water for 10 min In eye – flush w / lukewarm water for 15 min Call Poison Center Right Away! Do not wait for symptoms to appear! 1 -800 -222 -1222

Calling the Poison Center You will be asked: ◦ What happened? ◦ How is the person feeling? ◦ Age, weight & height of victim ◦ Description of poison (medicine, cleaner, etc. ) ◦ Amount taken

Poison Center Services

Poison Center Services Free & confidential public service program open 24 hrs. / 365 days a year ◦ Poisoning treatment advice ◦ Questions about poisons and your medication Staffed by experts specially trained in the treatment & management of poisonings Services for the hearing impaired & non. English speaking persons

CLOSING

Prevent To prevent a poisoning, keep all poisons locked up and out of sight and reach of children and in child-resistant packaging.

React Poisonings can happen even in the safest of homes. It is important to stay calm in the event of a poisoning and follow the appropriate first aid steps. Call NM Poison Center right away for treatment advice. Do not wait for symptoms to appear! NM Poison center is free public service, confidential and staffed with experts 24 hrs. a day, 365 days a year. Call us if you need us! Ask the audience to educate other caregivers about what they have learned today!

Homework Assignment Make sure that your home or workplace is poison-safe! ◦ Refer to Appendix B in Caregiver Program Outline: Home Safety Checklist

QUESTIONS?

Additional Resources Safe Kids USA: http: //www. safekids. org/safetybasics/safety-resources-by-risk-area/poison/householdpoison-prevention-1. html American Association of Poison Control Centers: http: //www. aapcc. org/dnn/Poisoning. Prevention/Tipsfor. B abysittersorother. Caregivers. aspx

Thank You! Jacqueline Kakos, Health Educator New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center Ph: 505 -272 -1364 Email: jkakos@salud. unm. edu