Approximately 50% of poison center cases involve children under the age of six. The following is a list of things that make this age group so vulnerable:
Natural Curiosity
Young children are naturally curious and typically learn by trying. New things may be explored by looking, touching, smelling, or tasting. It is the adult’s responsibility to make sure that items within their reach will not harm them.
Imitation
Young children try their hardest to imitate the adults in their lives, but they are not always successful. Sometimes they will attempt to take medication on their own or mistake a household cleaner or alcoholic drink for soda or juice.
Improper Storage
Leaving products on the counter or table between uses will increase the likelihood that a child will get into it.
Lack of Supervision
Children will get into things they shouldn’t when an adult is not paying attention. This includes when adults are cooking, answering the door or phone, taking a shower, or visiting with friends.
Look-Alikes
Medicines and laundry pods can look like candy to young children. Liquid cleaners and chemicals can look like drinks.
Prevention
Most poisonings are preventable! Here are simple steps to protect young children:
Lock medicines and household products in a safe place away from children. Placing items on high shelves is not enough. Children are great climbers!
Take medicines when or where children are not watching. Children learn by imitation.
Put the number for the Indiana Poison Center (IPC) on or near every telephone in the house: 1.800.222.1222. It is also a good idea to program it into every working cell phone.
Be sure babysitters and others caring for your children have the phone number posted in their homes.