Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

When did you last check your storage spaces? Are poisonous substances locked up and out of reach of your children and grandchildren? Children ages 1 -3 years are the most frequent victims of poisoning.

There are easy things we can do to prevent a poisoning tragedy.

Check each room in your home for products that may be poisonous. Some examples of poisons include kitchen and bathroom cleaners, furniture polish, jewelry cleaner, perfumes, bleach, laundry detergents, pesticides, medications, antifreeze, bug killers, some house plants and flaking paint.

Teach your children to recognize and avoid dangerous substances.Be prepared. Have the phone number of the Poison Control Center handy: 1-800-764-7661. Have the following information ready:

• age and weight of the person
• name and amount of the product swallowed
• symptoms
• when the poisoning occurred
• the location of the person

Keep a bottle of syrup of ipecac in your home for emergency use. Syrup of ipecac will make a person vomit poison that is swallowed. Do not use syrup of ipecac unless you have been told to do so by the poison control center or your doctor. If a poison causes burns, it will burn the throat and mouth twice if vomited. Syrup of ipecac must be replaced yearly.

Remember, prevention is the best way to keep ourselves and our families safe and healthy.