What Do You Know About Household Poisons?
Hair spray, antifreeze, house paint. These and other common items found in any home are useful products when used correctly. In the wrong hands, however, they can be deadly. Learn more about how to keep your home safe from accidental poisoning by taking this quiz, based in part on information from the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC).
1. One of the most dangerous poisons found in the home is antifreeze.
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A poison is any substance that can cause harmful effects in the body. According to the AAPCC, other dangerous materials and potent household poisons include cleaning products such as drain openers and oven cleaners; fuels such as kerosene and lighter fluid; windshield washer solution; as well as more obvious poisons such as insecticides. You should be familiar with any cautionary words on labels for household products. A label that carries the word "Danger" is a serious poison or potential explosive substance. "Warning" is used for products that are slightly less dangerous, but that could still make you sick or seriously injured. "Caution" is used on products that are less dangerous than those marked with "Warning." These products can irritate the skin or eyes, or make you ill if you breathe the fumes. For more detailed product information, see the National Library of Medicine's product database at http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov.
2. Teach your children never to eat mushrooms they find growing in the yard.
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All wild mushrooms should be suspect; even mushroom experts may have trouble identifying poisonous mushrooms. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning include stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Symptoms can occur immediately after eating the mushroom or within several hours. If your child eats a wild mushroom, call your health care provider or a poison control center.
3. A multivitamin that contains iron can be deadly to a young child.
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Iron is an essential mineral in the diet, but too much iron can be fatal. As little as 250 mg -- less than 0.01 ounce, or far less than 1/8 teaspoon -- can poison a small child, according to the Iron Disorders Institute. Other medications intended for adults also can be extremely toxic or deadly for children. That's why it's important to keep all medications out of reach.
4. Although carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly, you can avoid it by watching for the telltale color of the gas.
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Carbon monoxide (CO) is colorless and odorless; that's what makes it so dangerous. CO can build up in the home if heaters or furnaces aren't properly vented. Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, confusion, and loss of consciousness, according to the CDC. Make sure your heating system is serviced regularly. Don't use portable heaters -- whether gas- or chemical-powered -- indoors, because they produce CO.
5. You should keep the phone number for your poison control center posted near or programmed into your phone.
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All poison control centers have the same number: 800-222-1222. You can also call 911, or your local emergency medical number. Many cases of poisoning can be safely treated at home; check with the poison control center to find out what you should do. Here are some basic emergency tips for poisoning:
For a chemical that accidentally gets into someone's eye, rinse the eye in running water -- use the faucet or a shower -- for 15 to 20 minutes. Then call the poison control number (or, have someone else call the poison control number while you rinse the eye).
For a chemical that accidentally gets onto the skin, remove any clothing that was splashed and rinse the bare skin in running water for 15 to 20 minutes. The call the poison control number.
For poisonous fumes accidentally inhaled, go outside; open windows and doors to get fresh air into the room. Then call the poison control number.
6. Although syrup of ipecac was once a staple of home first aid kits, it is no longer recommended as an emergency treatment for accidental poisoning.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics and other health experts no longer recommends using syrup of ipecac, which induces vomiting. You should safely dispose of any ipecac you may still have.
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