Poison Prevention for Seniors

Poison Prevention Tips

  • Be prepared.
    • Put the poison control number (1-800-222-1222, U.S. only) in, on or near your phone.
    • Save webPOISONCONTROL® as a browser favorite (webPOISONCONTROL.org).
  • Install a carbon monoxide alarm in every sleeping area of your home. Keep appliances, furnaces, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves in good repair.
  • Store medicines and products in their original containers.
  • Use child-resistant packaging, especially if young children are ever around. Replace caps securely. Why?
    • Of children treated in an ER for medicine poisoning, 38% got into a grandparent's medicine.
    • More grandparents identified electrical outlets than medicine as a top safety issue, but 36 times more children go to the ER for medicine poisoning. Ouch!
  • Store household products in a different place from food and medicine.
  • Use medicines safely.
    • Turn on the lights, put on glasses, and read the label before taking or giving medicine. Follow instructions exactly.
    • Don't take someone else's medicine.
  • Use household products as directed on the label. Mixing products can release dangerous gases.
  • Have grandchildren? Check out the poison prevention tips for the ages of your grandchildren.

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