It is never too early for new parents to make a safer place for their child. A major component of a safe environment for children is a poison-proof home.

"Parents are better off acting earlier than later," says Patricia Clinton, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Iowa College of Nursing and a pediatric nurse practitioner. "Even six months after the birth is not too early to start thinking ahead and identifying 'hot spots,' places in the home where poisons are likely to be found."

Three common areas are the kitchen, bathrooms, and storage areas, such as the garage or basement. Parents should also keep in mind other areas where items such as colognes or cosmetics may be left lying around. "The first step to poison proofing your home is to eliminate chemicals that you could do without," Clinton says. "Whatever is left should then be locked up by putting latches on cabinets. It is also important to make sure that not only cabinets under the sink are locked but that medicine cabinets or chests are also secured. Even small children can reach these by crawling up on countertops."

As a further precaution, parents may want to consider storing medicines elsewhere. "Storing medicines in a small suitcase kept on the top shelf of a closet is a good idea, " Clinton says. Medications and chemicals should also be kept in their original containers. "It is important to be able to quickly identify what has been ingested in case of an emergency. Children have swallowed chemicals stored in basements and garages, such as paint thinner, thinking they were beverages because they were kept in other containers, such as plastic milk cartons or glass juice bottles," Clinton says.

Clinton says that syrup of ipecac, a chemical that induces vomiting, should be kept in households. However, it should never be used before calling poison control. Parents need to make sure that vomiting won't cause more harm than good. Clinton notes that if the substance ingested is lye-based, inducing vomiting could burn the child's throat. If an oil-based substance is vomited, it could result in a form of pneumonia that is difficult to treat.

"In situations where inducing vomiting is harmful, other methods such as pumping out the stomach may be needed to treat the poison victim," Clinton adds. Clinton stresses that the poison control center's phone number should be posted at each telephone in the house.

For more information on preventing accidental poisoning, contact your local poison control center or talk to your health care provider.