Children's Hospital Boston 300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 355-6000
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For Patients & Families:
Preventing Poisonings
Poisoning can happen when you least expect it:
  • A child eats a bottle of children's vitamins thinking they are candy.
  • A parent inadvertently sprays pesticides on a child playing near the garden.
  • A senior citizen confuses medications and gives the wrong one to himself or his grandchild.
Where and when do poisonings happen most often?
Most poisoning cases involve children 5 years old and younger. And more than 90 percent occurr in the home, according to the Regional Center for Poison Control and Prevention at Children's Hospital Boston, which has received thousands of calls about poisonings. Less than 10 percent of poisonings occur in schools, workplaces or public areas.
What can you do?
As a parent, you can greatly lower the risk of your child being exposed to potentially poisonous substances by being aware of possible hazards around the house. Poison centers receive numerous calls concerning children who have ingested common household products, including:
  • Toothpaste with fluoride
  • Lotions
  • Make-up
  • Perfume
  • beach
  • Laundry detergent
  • Household cleaners
  • Cosmetics
  • Thermometers
  • Plants
  • Over-the-counter pain and cold relievers
  • Pen ink*
  • Crayons*
  • Diaper products*

*usually non-toxic and not a health risk
It's important to always keep these items out of children's reach.
Poison prevention tips
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Michele Burns Ewald, MD, Medical Director, Regional Center for Poison Control
  • Keep all hazardous materials in locked cabinets.
  • Put safety latches on drawers and cabinets containing harmful household products.
  • Store all household and medicinal products in their original containers so they are correctly labeled.
  • Buy products in child-resistant packaging whenever available.
  • Read all medication labels carefully.
  • Never refer to medication as candy. Children may get confused, since many medications and candies can look the same.
  • Teach your children to always ask an adult before eating or drinking anything.
  • Store food and cleaners in separate cabinets or rooms.
  • Place carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
  • Watch children carefully whenever they are playing indoors or outdoors.
  • Post the Center for Poison Control and Prevention phone number, 1-800-222-1222, near all telephones in your home.
How serious are most poisoning incidents?
For the vast majority of unintentional poisonings reported to the Regional Center for Poison Control and Prevention at Children's Hospital Boston, there were minimal effects and no medical follow-up was required. However, some poisonings have major effects and even lead to death. So it is important to prevent poisonings whenever possible, and know what to do if they occur.
For questions or immediate advice
If your child is exposed to a potentially dangerous substance - or to ask questions about poisoning prevention - call the Center for Poison Control and Prevention: (800)-222-1222. You will be connected to your area's poison center where specially trained doctors, nurses or pharmacists will respond to your questions and concerns about poisoning 24 hours a day, seven days a week, free of charge.

Poison center experts can answer questions about medications, household products, workplace chemicals, mold and mildew, snake or spider bites, and other poisoning-related topics. You can also call to request magnets or stickers that have the 800 phone number on them. No question or incident is too insignificant to call about.

If necessary, the Poison Center experts will refer you to appropriate health care providers or to an emergency room.

Take immediate action
If a poisoning incident occurs, no matter how small, call the Center for Poison Control and Prevention at (800)-222-1222, and follow these guidelines:

(Note: If the person has stopped breathing or collapsed, call 911 immediately.)

  • If a child gets poison in his eyes, immediately rinse eyes with running water for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • If a child gets poison on his skin, take off any clothing that came in contact with the poison and rinse the skin with running water for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • If a child inhales potentially poisonous fumes, get him to fresh air immediately.
  • If a child takes the wrong medicine or too much medicine, immediately call (800)-222-1222.
  • If a child swallows something that is not food or medicine, have him drink a small amount of milk or water and immediately call (800)-222-1222.
Source: Regional Center for Poison Control and Prevention at Children's Hospital Boston.

Please keep in mind that the text provided is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment.

Children's Hospital Boston©, 2005. This page may be reproduced for educational purposes. Reprint permission is required for all other uses.

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