Tips to Prevent Poisonings

Tips to Prevent Poisonings

Tips to Prevent Poisonings

USA.gov sent this bulletin at 03/27/2013 12:10 PM EDT Every day, 87 people in the U.S. die as a result of unintentional poisoning and more than 2,200 are treated in emergency rooms. Most of these poisonings occur in people's homes.

Get tips to prevent poisonings, including:

• Never take larger or more frequent doses of your medications to try to get faster or more powerful effects.
• Turn on a light when you give or take medicines at night so that you know you have the right medicine and the correct amount.
• Keep medicines and chemicals in their original bottles or containers.
• To keep young children safe, store all medicines and household products up and out of sight and reach. 
• Secure the child safety cap every time you use a medicine.
• Do not refer to medicine as "candy."
• Get more tips...

Call 911 if a poison victim has collapsed or isn't breathing. If the victim is awake and alert, call the Poison Help line a 1-800-222-1222.