September marks Baby Safety Month, an important reminder that everyday medicines can pose a serious risk to young children. According to a Safe Kids Worldwide report, a young child is taken to an emergency room every nine minutes after getting into medicine, and every hour a child is hospitalized because of medicine poisoning. Every 12 days, a young child dies from accidental medicine poisoning.
Statistics like these are troubling, but California Poison Control System (CPCS) says some simple precautions make it possible for parents and caregivers to keep little ones safe from accidental medicine poisoning.
“When babies start crawling, they start exploring. That includes putting things in their mouths, which can lead to accidental poisoning,” said Dr. Rais Vohra, Medical Director for the Fresno/Madera Division of CPCS. “As babies become more mobile, parents and caregivers need to step up their safety vigilance. It only takes a minute for a potential catastrophe to happen.”
The following simple tips will help parents and caregivers pinpoint potential medicine poisoning hazards in their child’s world.
Seven tips to keep little ones safe
Think about places where medications can be easily reached – such as purses, nightstands, and counters – and don’t leave any medicines there.
“Out of Sight and at a Height” – put all medicines out of reach, not directly visible, and preferably in a locked, secure storage space such as a cabinet or safe box. Always ask your houseguests to do the same when they come to visit.
Don’t be tempted to leave medicine, including your own, on a counter or table, even if another dose will be taken shortly.
Close all medicine caps tightly after every use, and keep all medicines in their original containers.
Purchase medicines in child-resistant packaging when possible. But remember, child-resistant does not mean child-proof and doesn’t always prevent accidents.
Never call any medicine ‘candy’ in front of children, and do not take medicines in front of toddlers, who may want to mimic the behavior.
Use the dosing device that comes with medicines. Teaspoons and tablespoons don’t measure the same amount as the dosing device.
“There are other things besides the risk of poisoning by medicines that parents and caregivers need to be aware of,” added Dr. Vohra. “Most people know that pesticides and detergent pods are poisonous. However, people don’t often think twice about products they regularly use, including air fresheners, hand sanitizers, makeup, personal care products, alcohol, edibles, and e-cigarettes. But they, too, can be dangerous.”
He suggests programing the Poison Hotline for California Poison Control System (1-800-222-1222) into home and cell phones and posting it near the phone or refrigerator to quickly and easily find it. You can also call the Poison Hotline for information or if you have any questions.
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.
