POISONING

There are many poisons in the typical home. Some poisons must be ingested to be harmful. Others cause damage simply by breathing them. Many chemicals are poisonous if they get in your eye. A few poisons can even be absorbed through the skin.

A list of common poisons includes:

gasoline and other petroleum products
antifreeze
acids
drain and tile cleaners
furniture polish
most cleaning products
pesticides and herbicides
mercury, lead, and other heavy metals
swimming pool chemicals, including chlorine
alcoholic beverages (in large amounts, or even small amounts if drunk by a small child)
tobacco (when eaten by a small child) and nicotine patches or gum
most prescription medications
many non-prescription drugs such as aspirin and acetaminophen (such as Tylenol)

There are a number of poisonous plants. Some of the common ones include foxglove, castor bean, oleander, many bulbs, and jimsonweed.

Take precautions to keep small children and the uninformed away from these products. Keep the telephone number of your Poison Control Center by your phone. You can also call them with questions about what products might be poisonous. The local fire department can advise you on how to safely dispose of hazardous products.

Call for help immediately if you believe a poisoning has occurred.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File PREP4914.RF2 VRS# 4914 Data Version 7.0