1
00:00:02,469 -->
00:00:07,870
Small children love to explore. And one of
the most dangerous areas of the home is any
2
00:00:07,870 -->
00:00:13,639
place we store poisons for cleaning, or other
types of common substances we might use around
3
00:00:13,639 -->
00:00:17,990
the house. So make sure that when children
are in the house and able to get to those
4
00:00:17,990 -->
00:00:22,159
poisons, we use certain procedures to lock
up drawers and cupboards to prevent the child
5
00:00:22,159 -->
00:00:27,179
from getting into any poisons. It's best to
keep poisons stored up really high or out
6
00:00:27,179 -->
00:00:31,739
of the reach of children. There are commercially
made locks that will help secure cupboard
7
00:00:31,739 -->
00:00:38,070
doors and drawers. You can usually buy those
at any kind of baby supply store or a hardware
8
00:00:38,070 -->
00:00:43,840
store. But many times, you probably are wishing
that someone could show you how to use common
9
00:00:43,840 -->
00:00:48,970
household items when you don't have time to
go out to a store. Something as simple as
10
00:00:48,970 -->
00:00:53,210
a rubber band can help prevent a child from
being able to get into a cupboard. This is
11
00:00:53,210 -->
00:00:58,730
just one simple way to protect a child from
getting into poisonous substances. One complicating
12
00:00:58,730 -->
00:01:03,490
factor is that many times chemicals can look
like something good to drink. Often they're
13
00:01:03,490 -->
00:01:09,040
bright blue or another bright color, and that
looks like Kool-aid. However, children drinking
14
00:01:09,040 -->
00:01:14,960
substance is only part of the problem. Dishwasher
cleaning products can look like candy that's
15
00:01:14,960 -->
00:01:20,370
good to eat, but another point to cover as
we're talking about poisons, is the medicine
16
00:01:20,370 -->
00:01:25,140
cabinet. It should be secured just like we
do for any other type of cabinet that might
17
00:01:25,140 -->
00:01:30,610
have poisons. The problem with medicines is
that they sometimes look yummy, like candy,
18
00:01:30,610 -->
00:01:35,060
or they're flavored to taste good so kids
will take them. Kids don't know how to tell
19
00:01:35,060 -->
00:01:39,070
the difference between a medicine that helps
them and too much medicine that can hurt or
20
00:01:39,070 -->
00:01:43,990
even kill them. So as we look at medicine
cabinets, use the same precautions as we did
21
00:01:43,990 -->
00:01:49,470
for chemicals. Secure the cabinet closed so
that a child doesn't mistakenly poison himself
22
00:01:49,470 -->
00:01:56,000
with an overdose. if you suspect poisoning,
be alert for clues such as empty pill bottles
23
00:01:56,000 -->
00:02:01,720
or packages, scattered pills and burns around
their mouth, stains and odors on the person
24
00:02:01,720 -->
00:02:08,500
or nearby. Also, consider the possibility
that a person may have applied medicated patches.
25
00:02:08,500 -->
00:02:13,700
Signs and symptoms of poisoning may include:
Burns or redness around the mouth or lips,
26
00:02:13,700 -->
00:02:18,420
breath that smells like chemicals such as
gasoline or paint thinner. They may also be
27
00:02:18,420 -->
00:02:24,569
vomiting, having difficulty breathing, drowsiness,
confusion, or other altered mental status.
28
00:02:24,569 -->
00:02:29,060
There are treatments that have changed a lot
over the years in the area of first aid for
29
00:02:29,060 -->
00:02:35,150
poisoning. If you find a child that you suspect
as consumed a poison, call Poison Control.
30
00:02:35,150 -->
00:02:43,380
The national number is 800-222-1222. They
can help you identify the poison and guide
31
00:02:43,380 -->
00:02:48,260
you in treating the child. Having the Poison
Control Center phone number in a prominent
32
00:02:48,260 -->
00:02:53,310
location in your home near the phone is never
a bad idea. You want to be able to access
33
00:02:53,310 -->
00:02:59,099
it right away if needed. Call 911 and begin
CPR immediately if the person shows no signs
34
00:02:59,099 -->
00:03:04,379
of life such as not moving or breathing normally.
Take note that it may not be the best thing
35
00:03:04,379 -->
00:03:09,319
to make the child vomit immediately. Poison
Control will guide you in the best care depending
36
00:03:09,319 -->
00:03:14,129
on the poison that was ingested. One thing
that I like to have around is something that
37
00:03:14,129 -->
00:03:19,150
you can pretty much get online, or maybe at
the local drugstore. It's called activated
38
00:03:19,150 -->
00:03:24,319
charcoal. It's always great to have it on
hand because it works great to neutralize
39
00:03:24,319 -->
00:03:29,220
certain poisons. It doesn't mean you'll have
to use it every time, but having it in your
40
00:03:29,220 -->
00:03:33,970
medicine cabinet and available in case of
Poison Control asking for it, is never a bad
41
00:03:33,970 -->
00:03:33,990
idea.
