It is the responsibility of the adults in the home to keep their family safe. Poisonings are completely preventable and it is every adult’s responsibility to keep children safe from harmful exposure to medications and chemicals around the home.
Poisonings can happen quickly and it is important to know how to prevent poisoning and what to do in case you or your children consume a potentially dangerous product. Always keep the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 visibly posted in your home or classroom in case of an emergency.
The Florida Poison Information Center Network recommends the following tips for poison prevention.
* Install safety latches on cabinets and drawers;
* Keep all medicines, cleaning supplies and chemicals out of sight and reach of children;
* Try to purchase products with child-proof packaging when available;
* Keep products in their original packaging, do not store them in food containers;
* Always read product labels and follow directions exactly; and
* Do not call medicine “candy” when giving it to children.
The Poison Help Line is free, confidential and multilingual and automatically directs the caller to the poison control center covering their geographic area.
Download the poison patrol checklist to help identify and safely store household poisons to keep your family safe and healthy.
About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
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