By Susan West

Did you know more than 90 percent of accidental poisonings happen at home, and that the vast majority involve very young children? Every March we observe National Poison Prevention Week to focus on keeping families safe. This year’s week kicks off on March 17; here are some easy ways to poison-proof your loved ones.

The Poison Help Line: 1-800-222-1222

This free service is available 24/7. Call with questions about medications, household toxins, bug bites, food poisoning, drug interactions, and liquid nicotine…and more. Trained experts provide real-time help (in 161 languages!) and can often solve a poisoning emergency over the phone. Learn more at poisonhelp.hrsa.gov.

Kitchen

• Look around: Everything at a toddler’s eye level is a potential hazard. Where are your cleaning supplies? Are your cabinets childproofed?
• Keep household products in their original containers, separate from food items.
• Don’t use bleach or any cleaning product on food or food packaging.

Bathroom, Bedroom

• Keep drugs, cosmetics, creams, and drugstore remedies—including vitamins and supplements—away from tiny hands. Have you checked your dresser and bedside table?
• If you’re unsure about drug interactions, call your doctor, pharmacist, or the Poison Help Line.

Basement, Garage

• Do you really need that leftover antifreeze and weed killer? Then put them on a high shelf, labeled.
• Lock laundry products away. (Hello, Tide Pods!) Bleach is especially toxic; don’t mix it with anything other than water. In fact, never mix household or chemical products together. Doing so can create a dangerous gas.

Some Overlooked Hazards:

• Button cell batteries are easy to lose and swallow, and the consequences can be tragic.
• E-cigarettes: Liquid nicotine can poison your child. Keep vape supplies secure.
• Gummy vitamins are attractive to kids. Hide them.
• Carbon monoxide is odorless, which is why you should have a working CO detector.
• Your curious pet should not ingest chocolate, coffee beans, macadamia nuts, onions, raisins, grapes, salt, yeast dough, alcoholic beverages, and certain houseplants.

About the Kids…

• If they don’t know what it is, they shouldn’t touch or taste it.
• Never refer to medicine as “candy.”
• Some art products can be toxic. Follow the directions, don’t eat or drink while using them, and wash up afterward.
• Know what poisonous snakes, bugs, and plants (including berries) are in your area, and educate your kids.

If It Happens…

Time is of the essence: The interval between exposure and the appearance of symptoms is a critical window of opportunity. Immediately call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222.

Be Prepared

Download the free Red Cross First Aid App and Pet First Aid App to get expert advice at your fingertips for common emergencies: Text GETFIRST or GETPET to 90999, or go to www.redcross.org/get-help and select Mobile Apps. (https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/mobile-apps.html)