Be prepared.
Save your poison center's number: 1-800-222-1222 (US only).
Save the webPOISONCONTROL online tool as a browser favorite.
Install a carbon monoxide alarm in every sleeping area of your home.
Poison proof every home where your child spends time.
Lock household products and medicines out of your child’s reach.
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.
Read this report about medicine and child safety from Safe Kids Worldwide
These especially hazardous household products must always be kept out of a child's reach. Buy small quantities only. Discard unneeded extras safely.
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. Why? Batteries lodged in the esophagus can burn a hole in just 2 hours, causing death or damage that will require feeding tubes, breathing tubes, and extensive surgical repair.
Safe Kids produced an interactive graphic to show you some issues parents may miss when trying to make their house safer for young children. Check it out!
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National Poison Prevention Week is March 15–21, 2026. The commemorative week was established in 1961 to promote public awareness about how to prevent and respond to poison incidents. You can prevent most unintentional poisonings, but when you need it, expert help is just a click or call away.
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Campylobacter is 1 of the most common causes of bacterial diarrhea. The illness is campylobacteriosis. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and pain. Campylobacter is found on raw vegetables, dairy products, poultry, and meat. It is also in the stool of contaminated people and animals. Treatment is mostly supportive; stay hydrated.
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Poison ivy can cause a rash if someone touches it, which is caused by oils in the plant. The rash can be severe enough to blister and itch for days or weeks. Most cases can be managed at home. Severe cases require medical attention. If these plants are burned, inhaling the smoke can cause severe breathing problems.
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Kombucha tea is a slightly effervescent, slightly alcoholic liquid for which many health claims are made. Home-brewed kombucha tea has been associated with several adverse health events. There are no scientific studies to support the many health claims made for kombucha tea, though it has a long history of use.
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The spotted lanternfly is an insect species native to parts of China and Vietnam. The insect itself does not bite or sting. It is not known to be toxic to humans but could cause upset stomach if ingested. Potential side effects of ingesting small amounts of spotted lanternflies are nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. These symptoms are self-limited and do not typically require treatment.
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Delta-8 THC is similar to delta-9 THC, the main psychoactive ingredient of cannabis, although it is less potent. The legal status of delta-8 THC is vague; it is legal in some states but has been restricted or banned in others. In states where the sale of delta-8 THC is legal, packaging may not be child-resistant, and may feature bright colors, cartoon-like images, or other features that are attractive to children and adolescents.
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Cetirizine (brand name Zyrtec) is an FDA-approved, over-the-counter medication used to help relieve allergy symptoms. It is relatively well-tolerated but is associated with side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, and dry mouth. Because of this, use of cetirizine with alcohol and other sedating medications should be avoided.
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Household bleach is used for cleaning and disinfecting and can also be used in “bleach baths” as a medical treatment for atopic dermatitis. Swallowing, inhaling, or injecting bleach can cause serious medical problems.
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Kinetic Sand is a fun sensory toy. Sand is not poisonous when swallowed, but it might cause constipation or gastrointestinal obstruction.
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Natural products such as peppermint oil have many components. Menthol is the most abundant compound found in peppermint oil. Menthol can cause superficial irritation in small amounts and severe systemic symptoms in large amounts.
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