All parents want to keep their children safe. While many caregivers go out
of their way to protect their children, they may sometimes overlook dangerous
household items. Chemicals, medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, and
plants can be poisonous.
The Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center, a partnership of University
of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center
in Sioux City, Iowa, cites poison as the fifth leading cause of accidental
death of children under the age of 6. Thus, it’s important to remember
to keep harmful products away from children to prevent accidental poisoning.
"By age 2 or 3, a child can work a childproof cap. The safest thing
is to lock dangerous materials up in a cabinet, lock box or tackle box,"
said Gretchen Vigil, M.D., UI associate professor of pediatrics.
Aside from securing hazards, Vigil suggests supervise their children
and teach them about poisons at a young age.
"Teach your children that medicine isn’t candy," she said.
"Tell them why they are taking medicine and tell kids they should
only take medication from their parents. Also, keep emergency and poison
control numbers by the phone."
If you think your child has ingested a potential poisonous substance,
call the Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center toll free at 800-222-1222.
The center responds to inquiries 24 hours a day and serves all 99 counties
in Iowa.
Because different poisonous substances are treated differently, it is
important not to give any medicine, food or fluids to a child before calling
the Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center. The center can determine if
the substance is harmful, if the child should be taken to the emergency
room or if the child should be given food or fluids. If a child needs
to go to the emergency room, Vigil recommends bringing the remaining substance
so that doctors can estimate what the child took and how much.
|
For more information:
Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center
|
