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Poison Prevention Week

By Tammy McKillip March 24, 2015
Spring arrives this month! As you open the windows, order your seeds and bring out the supplies for spring cleaning, keep in mind that many household cleaning and gardening products may contain harmful or toxic ingredients.

The third week in March is National Poison Prevention Week, so here are a few ideas to help you protect your family from accidental poisoning.

Household Product Safety Tips

  • Open windows to ventilate a room if you are using cleaning chemicals.
  • Always keep household cleaning products in their original containers, safely out of reach of little hands.
  • Never spray cleaning chemicals in the direction of children or pets, and DON'T sniff the ingredients of a bottle for any reason.
  • Wear rubber gloves when using household cleaning products and gardening chemicals.
  • Properly dispose of any cleaning, gardening or fertilizing compound by following the directions on the bottle.
  • Keep your family and pets away from outdoor areas that have recently been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides. Some of these toxins can permeate clothing and even shoes, so it's best to stay away from a newly treated area for a few hours after spraying.
  • Wash skin that has come into contact with household or gardening chemicals right away with warm, soapy water.
  • Call the poison control line immediately in case of accidental ingestion!
  • Rinse eyes in warm running water if cleaning solutions or other harsh chemicals have splashed into the eyes. Contact the poison control center or your physician for further advice on chemical eye burns.
  • Keep all medications, vitamins, alcohol and tobacco products safely away from children.