POISON PREVENTION WEEK IS THE PERFECT TIME TO BRUSH UP ON THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF ITEMS FOUND IN OUR HOUSE OR YARD. THE CITY OF OAK GROVE HAS SOME TIPS ON WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR TO KEEP YOUR CHILDREN AND PETS SAFE FROM POISONING
Over 2 million potential poisonings are reported in the US every year, with 90% of those at home. Almost all of these incidents occur in the home, and 80% of all poisonings are in children between the ages of 1 and 4. The majority of these occur in bathrooms, bedrooms, and the kitchen.
Keeping your family safe
- Medicines
- Keep all medicines in locked cabinets or out of the reach of children.
- Keep them in their original containers, labeled.
- Never share your medicine.
- Safely discard any old prescriptions or medications that aren’t used regularly.
- Household cleaners and disinfectants
- Always follow instructions when using household cleaners and disinfectants to ensure safe and effective use.
- Keep these products locked in cabinets or out of the reach of children.
- Back to school and art supplies
- Art products may contain a mixture of chemicals and can be dangerous if used properly. Be sure to read directions before using.
- Clean tables, desks, and counters after using art supplies.
- Food
- Never use commercial cleaning products on food or packaging.
- Wash your fruits and vegetables with running water before consuming them.
- Never wash meat, poultry, or eggs.
- Wash your hands and surfaces before, during, and after preparing food.
- Chemicals
- Store potential poisons and chemicals in their original containers.
- Store them in different cabinets away from food.
- Safely discard after using or throwing away.
Keeping your pets safe
- Medicines
- Never give your animal medication unless you are directed to do so by a veterinarian, as many medications that are safe for humans are deadly for animals.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of your pets by storing them away after using and making sure the lids are on tight.
- Household Items
- Keep cleaning supplies out of the reach of your pets and away from the area, you’re cleaning as some can cause burns in your pet’s mouth or throat or lead to liver or kidney damage.
- Mothballs, potpourri oils, alcoholic drinks, coffee grounds, fabric softener sheets, dishwashing detergent, cigarettes, and other everyday items can be potentially toxic.
- Food
- Never give your pet any human food without checking with a veterinarian.
- Chocolate contains theobromine which dogs are unable to metabolize effectively and could cause a serious medical emergency.
- Grapes can cause kidney failure in dogs.
- Garlic or onion can cause their red blood cells to be destroyed, causing anemia.
- Chemicals
- Automotive products such as gas, oil, antifreeze, and tire cleaners can be harmful to your pets. Clean up spills immediately.
- Keep your pets away from rooms being treated for pest control, cleaning, or that are being painted, and be sure to know what is in those items being used before bringing them into your home.
- Plants and lawn care
- Identify plants in your house and yard, or check if plants are toxic before planting.
- Lawns and gardens that have been treated with fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides should be avoided until they have dried completely.
If you suspect someone has been exposed to a poison, call your local Poison Control or the National Poison Control hotline. They’ll be able to instruct you on what to do.
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact the City of Oak Grove. We are more than happy to help in any way we can.