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Poisoning
The most common emergency involving children is poisoning.
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Topic 5 Page 15 |
In the United States, about 2 million cases of exposure to poisons are reported each year. Children under five years of age are the most likely to get poisoned. They are curious and will eat and drink almost anything—even if it does not taste good.
Although most poisoning occurs in the child’s home, it can also occur in the early childhood program. Poisons can be found in any room of the house or center, and poisonings can happen anywhere. However, most poisonings occur in the kitchen, bathroom or bedroom and in the presence of mothers or providers, when products are not in their usual storage area and are in direct reach of young children.
Poisonings occur from many common items found in a household or in the early childhood environment. Items that can be poisonous to a child include medicines (both prescription and non-prescription such as aspirin, cough and cold preparations, vitamins and iron), household cleaning products (such as furniture polishes, detergents and drain cleaners), substances stored in the garage (such as car and gardening products), mushrooms, plants (such as castor beans, foxglove and oleander), cosmetics, batteries, arts and crafts materials, and lead-containing paint, dust and pottery.
Poisoning can occur by ingestion (eating or drinking), absorption (contact with skin, getting in the eyes), inhalation (breathing the fumes), injection (puncture wounds), and animal and insect bites.
Modification of environment
Educators should make a room-by-room inspection and evaluate the area for potential poisons in the environment. Removing all hazards and risks for exposure to poisons provides a protected environment. Poisons should be kept out of sight and reach of children, and in a locked cabinet.
Remember what good climbers children can be! Parents and teachers should always put their purses, diaper bags, backpacks, etc. out of reach of the children. Create a special place for parents to place their items when they are just there for a short period.
Educators should make a room-by-room inspection and evaluate the area for potential poisons in the environment. Removing all hazards and risks for exposure to poisons provides a protected environment. Poisons should be kept out of sight and reach of children, and in a locked cabinet.
Remember what good climbers children can be! Parents and teachers should always put their purses, diaper bags, backpacks, etc. out of reach of the children. Create a special place for parents to place their items when they are just there for a short period.
Supervision
Remember that no area is 100 percent safe. Good safety practices and supervision help prevent accidents involving poisoning. Adult supervision is the number one method of preventing poisonings among small children. Discourage children from mouthing paint brushes, crayons or other objects and materials. Never call medicine “candy.”
Remember that no area is 100 percent safe. Good safety practices and supervision help prevent accidents involving poisoning. Adult supervision is the number one method of preventing poisonings among small children. Discourage children from mouthing paint brushes, crayons or other objects and materials. Never call medicine “candy.”
Education
Teach poison prevention to children and staff. Teach children never to put anything other than clean food into their mouths.
Teach poison prevention to children and staff. Teach children never to put anything other than clean food into their mouths.
Be prepared
Children act fast, and so do poisons. Even when people are very careful, poisoning exposures can occur. It is important to be prepared before something happens:
Children act fast, and so do poisons. Even when people are very careful, poisoning exposures can occur. It is important to be prepared before something happens:
- Attach the phone number of the Poison Center to the telephone (call 800-222-1222).
- If a poisoning occurs, do not panic. Do not follow the first-aid procedures recommended on the product as they may be incorrect. If the child is in obvious distress, call 9-1-1 for help. Otherwise, call the Poison Center for advice and document the incident and your actions. Call the parent.
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(Unit 1) Topic 5: Environmental Safety * Navigation Menu
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