Apple Juice or Air Fresheners:Can Children Tell the Difference?

Introduction

Young children will eat or drink almost anything!

Sudafed or red hots?

Moth balls or Marshmallows?

Ex lax or chocolate?

Vitamins or gummy bears?

Sports drink or Windex?

Can YOU tell the difference

Poisoning Statistics

¼ million each year

92% in the home– ~ half under 6 yrs of

age

40% poisonings when a parent takes pain reliever

Most hazardous materials

Medicines– Iron, prescription drugs

PesticidesWindshield washerAntifreezeDrain cleanersAlcoholToilet Cleaners

Lamp oilFurniture polishGasolineKerosenePaint thinnerPlantsDiaper creamAntisepticsVitamins

Common household products that poison children

Perfume

Mouthwash

Mothballs

Batteries

Flaking paint

Tobacco products

Signs of poisoning

Severe throat pain

Breathing difficulty

Behavior change– VERY Sleepy, irritable,

jumpy

Nausea, Vomiting

Stomach cramps (no fever)

Lips/mouth burning

Drooling/odd odor from mouth

Unexplained stains on clothes

Convulsions/un-consciousness

What to do if…child swallows poison

Take poison away

Take out of mouth

Do not make child vomit

Don’t follow instructions on label (they could be out of date)

Check for signs (previous slide)

Call 911 or Poison Control Center

What to do if…. Poison gets on skin

If spilled, remove clothes

Rinse skin with warm water

Call Poison Control Center

What to do if…Poison gets in eye(s)

Flush child’s eyes

Hold eyelid open

Rinse 15 minutes

Call Poison Control Center

What do to if….Child breathes poisonous fumes

Get them fresh air right away

Call Poison Control Center

Prevention

Children get poisoned because:– They watch you and

try to imitate you– Poisons not stored

properly– Children are curious– Children don’t

understand what poison is

Things you can do

Adequate attention

Household products– Don’t mix– Lock up, out of reach– Keep in original

containers

Medicines– Read labels– Proper doses– Proper names– Don’t take in front of

children– Designate one person

to give meds– Destroy old meds

Things to teach the child

Keep away from areas that contain chemicals

Never touch, taste or smells something that could be poisonous

If you don’t know what it is, don’t go near it

Take medicine only from an adult

Teach difference between medicine and candy

Activities that can help kids

Poison Control Centerhttp://www.1-800-222-1222.info/poisonPrevention/preschool.asp

Can download video, classroom activities with songs and puppets to help in teaching the lesson

Mr Yuk

Http://www.mryuk1.com/

Many educational materials and Mr. Yuck Stickers

Commercial on YouTube with Mr Yukhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHkT4peQdbs