Poison Prevention, Infants

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.
  • Poison proof every home where your child spends time.
    • Lock medicines and household products out of your child’s reach, even between doses.
    • Use child-resistant packaging. Replace caps securely.
    • Store household products in a different place from food and medicine.
    • Keep purses out of your child’s reach.
  • Use medicines safely. 
    • Read the label before taking or giving medicine. Follow instructions exactly.
    • Use the correct dosing syringe or cup, NOT a household spoon.
    • Ask your child’s pediatrician before giving any herbal medicine or supplement.
  • These especially hazardous household products must always be kept out of a child’s reach. Buy small quantities only. Discard unneeded extras safely. 
    • antifreeze
    • windshield washer solutions
    • drain cleaners
    • toilet bowl cleaners
    • insecticides
    • hydrocarbons (gasoline, oils, paint thinners)
  • Keep button batteries out of reach of children. Secure the battery compartment on remote controls, key fobs, cameras, watches, flameless candles, and every battery-powered product. 

Related Articles

Swallowed a coin? Here’s what you need to know. Swallowed a coin? Here’s what you need to know.
Are Benzonatate Capsules Poisonous? Are Benzonatate Capsules Poisonous?
Baby Formula Recall, Cronobacter Contamination Baby Formula Recall, Cronobacter Contamination
Arsenic in Baby Rice Cereals Arsenic in Baby Rice Cereals
Is Eyelash Glue Toxic? Is Eyelash Glue Toxic?
Dieffenbachia and Philodendron Dieffenbachia and Philodendron
Bird of Paradise Plant: Pretty and Low Human Toxicity Bird of Paradise Plant: Pretty and Low Human Toxicity
Goodbye Winter Grime, Hello Safe Spring Cleaning! Goodbye Winter Grime, Hello Safe Spring Cleaning!
Is Ant Bait Safe Around Children? Is Ant Bait Safe Around Children?
Virginia Creeper and Wisteria Toxicity Virginia Creeper and Wisteria Toxicity
My Child Just Ate a Match! My Child Just Ate a Match!
Safe Use of Artificial Snow Safe Use of Artificial Snow
Are Pyracantha Berries Poisonous? Are Pyracantha Berries Poisonous?
My Child Swallowed Automatic Dishwashing Detergent! My Child Swallowed Automatic Dishwashing Detergent!
Get To Know webPOISONCONTROL! Get To Know webPOISONCONTROL!
Insect Repellents Insect Repellents
The Baby Drank Shampoo The Baby Drank Shampoo
My Child Ate Toothpaste My Child Ate Toothpaste
I Just Broke A Thermometer I Just Broke A Thermometer
My Child Swallowed Hair Relaxer! My Child Swallowed Hair Relaxer!
Azaleas and Rhododendrons Azaleas and Rhododendrons
Daffodils - Beautiful but Potentially Toxic Daffodils - Beautiful but Potentially Toxic
Foxglove - Toxic to the Heart Foxglove - Toxic to the Heart
Activated Charcoal Activated Charcoal
Travel Safely: Tips for the Holiday Season Travel Safely: Tips for the Holiday Season
Holly Berries Holly Berries
Are poinsettias poisonous? Are poinsettias poisonous?
Poisonous and Non-poisonous Plants Poisonous and Non-poisonous Plants
Iron Poisoning Iron Poisoning
Use DEET Safely Use DEET Safely
Cold Medicine Dosing Changes for Kids Cold Medicine Dosing Changes for Kids
Caution With Caustics Caution With Caustics
Mothballs Can Be Poisonous Mothballs Can Be Poisonous
Fall Berries Only LOOK Edible! Fall Berries Only LOOK Edible!
Mouse and Rat Poisons Mouse and Rat Poisons
Antifreeze: Bad for Your Kids and Pets Antifreeze: Bad for Your Kids and Pets
Yew and Paclitaxel Yew and Paclitaxel
Cough and Cold Medicine Safety Cough and Cold Medicine Safety
Hand Sanitizer: What's the Real Story? Hand Sanitizer: What's the Real Story?
Planning a Home Remodel? Planning a Home Remodel?
Acetaminophen: Take It Safely Acetaminophen: Take It Safely
Botulism and Honey. What's the Connection? Botulism and Honey. What's the Connection?
Don't Give Herbal Supplements to Infants Don't Give Herbal Supplements to Infants
Acetaminophen: Easier Dosing Acetaminophen: Easier Dosing
Are Diaper Rash Products Dangerous? Are Diaper Rash Products Dangerous?
Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism
Button Batteries Can Kill Children Button Batteries Can Kill Children
National Poison Prevention Week 2012 National Poison Prevention Week 2012
Dangerous Household Hydrocarbons Dangerous Household Hydrocarbons
Laundry Products Laundry Products
Medication Errors - Double Dosing Medication Errors - Double Dosing
Laundry Detergent Pods and Children Laundry Detergent Pods and Children
Pokeberries: A Grape Look Alike Pokeberries: A Grape Look Alike
Ranitidine (Zantac®) and Babies Ranitidine (Zantac®) and Babies
Bubble Lights - The Hazards of Nostalgia Bubble Lights - The Hazards of Nostalgia
Increasing Childhood Drug Poisonings Increasing Childhood Drug Poisonings
Christmas Tree Preservatives Christmas Tree Preservatives
Teething Gels: A Warning Teething Gels: A Warning
Unusual Sources of Lead Poisoning Unusual Sources of Lead Poisoning
Birth Control Pills and Toddlers Birth Control Pills and Toddlers
Gasoline and Toddlers: Summer Risks Gasoline and Toddlers: Summer Risks
My Child Ate a Cigarette! My Child Ate a Cigarette!
Alcohol: A Dangerous Poison for Children Alcohol: A Dangerous Poison for Children
Vaporizer Medicine: Dangerous to Swallow Vaporizer Medicine: Dangerous to Swallow
Windshield Washer Fluid: A Winter Hazard Windshield Washer Fluid: A Winter Hazard
Winter Holiday Poison Safety Winter Holiday Poison Safety
Kids Will Swallow Anything Kids Will Swallow Anything
Holiday Poison Prevention Holiday Poison Prevention
Batteries Cause Devastating Injuries Batteries Cause Devastating Injuries
Carbon Monoxide: The Invisible Killer Carbon Monoxide: The Invisible Killer
Homeopathic Medications for Children Homeopathic Medications for Children
Non-Toxic Substances Cause Worry Non-Toxic Substances Cause Worry
National Poison Prevention Week 2014 National Poison Prevention Week 2014
Medical Marijuana Poisoning in Kids Medical Marijuana Poisoning in Kids
Pain Relievers: Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and Aspirin Pain Relievers: Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and Aspirin

Poisoned? Get Expert Help.

Don't guess what you should do. Get accurate Poison Control answers online or by phone. Both are free and confidential.

Get HELP ONLINE

or CALL 1-800-222-1222

Get the App!

Download the free
webPOISONCONTROL® app.

apple-logogoogle-app

Subscribe to The Poison Post®

The Poison Post® is a free, quarterly
e-newsletter delivering poison prevention tips right to your inbox!

The Poison Post

Common and dangerous poisons

Know your poisons! Which are common? Which are the most dangerous? Keep your child safe.

Watch out for these poisons!

Learn the Poison Prevention Jingles

Learn the Poison Help jingle in English or Spanish. Use these jingles to teach the Poison Control number: 1-800-222-1222. Available for download.

Jingles

Support Us

Help us save lives! Donate now so we can continue to provide 24/7 expert help for poison emergencies. Your donation to our 501(c)(3) charitable organization will keep the phone lines open and the app online.

Donate Now

Downloads

Connect with us
on social media!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for news, updates, and events!

Facebook Logo   Instagram Logo   Twitter Logo

Poison Statistics

2013 outcome stats promo graph

National Poisoning Statistics