Accidental injuries remain a serious threat to young children. According to a 2022 National Parent Survey on Child Injury conducted by Safe Kids Worldwide, accidental injuries are a leading cause of death among children ages one to nine and the fifth-leading cause among infants younger than one. During National Child Safety and Protection Month this November, the California Poison Control System (CPCS) is encouraging parents and caregivers to take a closer look at everyday hazards in and around the home, and simple steps to help prevent them.
“Potential hazards are everywhere, but preventing accidental injuries is possible,” said Rais Vohra, Medical Director for the Fresno/Madera Division of CPCS. “For example, one common cause of unintentional childhood injuries is poisoning from prescription or over-the-counter drugs. The way to prevent accidental poisoning is with safe storage practices of medications.”
Taking other important precautionary steps can significantly reduce the risk of injuries. Following are some practical tips to help keep kids safe this month and beyond.
Store all medicine in a locked cabinet, safe box, or other secured space out of sight and reach of children.
Never leave pills on countertops, in purses, or on nightstands.
Keep all medicines in their original container with child-resistant caps – and remember child-resistant doesn’t mean child-proof.
Make sure to keep cannabis edibles securely locked up; accidental poisoning can have more serious effects on children and teens who eat them.
Be especially careful with “button” batteries; they are particularly dangerous if swallowed, both as a potential choking hazard and because they can also cause severe burns which would require immediate medical attention.
Keep household cleaners up and away from children’s reach, not under the sink.
Never use empty beverage or food containers to store chemicals or cleaners. Leave the liquids in the original containers, and toss these out as soon as they are empty.
Be vigilant about small items that can create a choking hazard such as coins, marbles, keys, jewelry, paper clips, and safety pins.
Be careful with edible choking hazards such as small pieces of hard candy, gum, or peanuts, which can also end up in little noses or ears.
Save the CPCS help number in your phone and post it visibly at home: 1-800-222-1222.
Call Poison Control for questions about poison encounters. Trained pharmacists, nurses and other providers are available to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is free, confidential and interpreters are available. Follow CPCS on Facebook, on YouTube @californiapoisoncontrol, and on X @poisoninfo. Sign up for The California Poison Safety Post, California Poison Control System’s quarterly electronic newsletter, by visiting calpoison.org/newsletters.
CPCS is part of the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy and is responsible to the California Emergency Medical Services Authority.
