Poison Safety & Children

No matter where you are in the United States, if you are having an emergency related to drugs or poisoning, you can dial (800) 222-1222 and you will be connected to the local poison and drug information center. Be sure to post the poison control number near your home phone and save it in your cell phone.

General Tips

• Poison-proof your home before your baby becomes mobile.
• Always know where and what your child is doing.
• Purses are one of the best places for toddlers to find poisons.
• Children around the age of 17 months are the most likely to get into poisons.
• Keep the following items up, out of site and locked:
  • Alcohol 
  • All glue 
  • All medicines
  • Antifreeze
  • Bug spray
  • Cigarettes
  • Drain and oven cleaner
  • Eye drops
  • Gasoline and kerosene
  • Mouthwash
  • Pain and paint thinner
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Windshield wiper fluid

Personal Care Products

• Keep all personal care products up and out of sight
• Be aware if small children watch you use a product - children often copy what they see adults do
• Keep all products in their original bottles with label intact
• Read the labels and follow directions exactly
• Be extra careful when using mouthwash, eyedrops and nail polish remover

Medications

Learn more

Bites and Stings

Learn more

Household Products

• Keep household products up and out of sight.
• If you are cleaning and are called away either take the child or the cleaning product with you.
• Look for words like Danger, Poison, Caution, Warning and Keep Out of Reach of Children.
• Buy household products that have a child resistant cap.
• Put products away as soon as you are done using them.