While household products and medicines are part of our everyday lives, it is important to be educated on ways in which to safely protect you and your family from being poisoned from the same products and medicines you may use every day. Below, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the American Association of Poison Control Centers’ prevention tips to safeguard your household.
Drugs and medicines
Only take prescription medications that are prescribed to you by a health care professional. Misusing or abusing prescription or over-the-counter medications is not a “safe” alternative to illicit substance abuse. Moreover, never take larger or more frequent doses of your medications, particularly prescription pain medications, to try to get faster or more powerful effects.
Never share or sell your prescription drugs. Keep all prescription medicines (especially prescription painkillers), over-the-counter medicines (including pain or fever relievers), vitamins and herbals in a safe place that can only be reached by people who take or give them.
Follow directions on the label when you give or take medicines. Read all warning labels. Some medicines cannot be taken safely when you take other medicines or drink alcohol. And turn on a light when you give or take medicines at night so you know you have the correct amount of the right medicine. Also, be sure to keep medicines in their original bottles or containers. Dispose of unused, unneeded or expired prescription drugs. Follow federal guidelines for how to do this. Participate in National Drug Take Back days recognized by the Drug Enforcement Administration or local take back programs in your community.
Household chemicals and carbon monoxide
Always read the label before using a product that may be poisonous. Also, make sure to keep chemical products in their original bottles or containers. Be sure to avoid using food containers such as cups, bottles or jars to store chemical products such as cleaning solutions or beauty products.
Never mix household products together. For example, mixing bleach and ammonia can result in toxic gases. Wear protective clothing — gloves, long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes — if you spray pesticides or other chemicals. Turn on the fan and open windows when using chemical products such as household cleaners.
Be sure to have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home. Also, always use the safest possible cleaning products. You can find them by looking for the Design for the Environment label on products. And don’t forget to get your home tested for lead.
EPA weighs in
Like the CDC, the EPA also stresses we must be proactive to avoid household poisonings for ourselves and our family members. The EPA notes in 2012 poison centers answered more than 3.4 million calls, which equates to one call every 8 seconds. The EPA recommends posting the Poison Control Center’s national helpline phone number, (800) 222-1222, near your phone. It also advises to safely store or lock these household items: bath and kitchen disinfectants and sanitizers; household cleaning or maintenance products, such as drain cleaner, paints or glues; automotive products stored around the home, such as anti-freeze or windshield washer fluid; health or beauty care products, such as medicines, hair and nail products; roach sprays and baits; insect repellents; rat and other rodent poisons; weed killers; products used to kill mold or mildew; flea and tick shampoos, powders and dips for pets; and swimming pool chemicals.
For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/poisoning/ or call the CDC at (800) 232-4636. Also, visit www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/poisonprevention.htm or call the EPA’s National Pesticide Information Center at (800) 858-7378.
