March 16 to 22 is National Poison Prevention Week. Each year, about 2.4 million people swallow or have contact with a poisonous substance, according to the nation’s Poison Control Centers. Accidental poisoning is the second-leading cause of home injury and death, but most poison-related incidents are preventable if families take the right steps to safeguard their homes.

Children and older adults are among the age groups at greatest risk. In fact, children under age 5 have the highest nonfatal poison exposures at home compared to any other age group. Older adults often experience an increased poisoning risk because of taking multiple medications.

So, what can be done to lessen these potentially fatal incidents?

With young children in the home, the number one rule is supervise, supervise, supervise. As with all other unintentional injuries, such as drowning, falls and choking, it only takes a minute for unattended children to seriously hurt themselves.

Reminders for poison-proofing a home:

Take a tour of your home from your child’s vantage point. If that means crawling on your hands and knees to get a good look at what children might find to be inviting to put in their mouths, then do it.

Install safety latches on cabinets.

Leave the original labels on all products. In case of accidental poisoning, you will need the product information and instructions for treatment.

Teach children to take medicine only from adults. Do not call medicine “candy.” This may lead to an unfortunate ingestion of look-alike substances when children are on their own.

Check the label when you give a child medicine to ensure the proper dosage.

Post the poison control center number (800) 222-1222 near your home phone. 

When calling the Illinois Poison Center, stay calm and be ready to answer these common questions:

• The exact name of poison or drug product, or in some cases the active ingredient

• Patient’s weight and age

• Time of poisoning

• Any symptoms

• Amount ingested, if known

• Medical history such as health problems, current medications and allergies

Remember your poison specialist’s name. At the beginning of every phone call, the poison specialist will tell you his or her name.  Take note of the name, as it is helpful to ask for the same specialist if you need to make a follow-up call.

As with all other emergencies, if there is any doubt in your mind as to how to handle the situation, call 911 immediately. Remember, there is no substitute for watchful, attentive adults who provide an environment in which children can learn and explore safely.

Marsha Giesler is the public education officer with the Downers Grove Fire Department.