Facts: Over 2 million poisoning exposures are reported to poison control centers nationwide on an annual basis.

Over 50% of poison exposures occur in children less than 6 years of age.

Oklahoma Poisoning Control Center Statistics 2008:

55, 020 total initial calls. Of those, 38,104 were human poisonings and 57% were in children under 5 years old. And over 75% of those were unintentional poisonings.

  • Keep all medications, cosmetics and personal care products out of child’s reach
  • Keep all household cleaners out of child’s reach
  • Keep all house plants out of your child’s reach
  • Teach children not to taste, play with, or eat non-food plants both indoors and outdoors
  • Teach children to never put mushrooms, berries, leaves flowers, stems, bulbs or seeds into their mouths
  • Know the names of your plants indoors and outdoors
  • Call your Oklahoma City Poison Control Center at 405-271-5454 or outside the Oklahoma City area call the National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) for treatment information when poisoning occurs

*Facts: National SAFE KIDS Campaign's Report to the Nation and Oklahoma Poison Control CenterSafety

Here are some of the hazardous substances most commonly ingested by children under age 6:

  • Cosmetics and personal care products, such as mouthwash, nail products, hair remover, and baby oil (never leave baby oil or similar products within your toddler's reach — in a few cases, infants have died from getting baby oil in their lungs)
  • Prescription drugs such as pain medications, heart and blood pressure medications, antidepressants, sleeping pills, diabetes medications, and time-released medications
  • Cleaning products, including drain cleaner, oven cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, bleach, dishwasher detergent, furniture polish, and rust remover
  • Pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, which are poisonous when taken in large doses (never give a child aspirin, as it can lead to Reye's syndrome, a rare brain and liver disease that can be fatal)
  • Cough and cold medicines
  • Vitamin supplements, especially iron pills
  • Household plants, especially philodendron and holly berries
  • Paint thinner, paint remover, kerosene, lighter fluids, antifreeze, and windshield washer fluid
  • Pesticides
  • Alcohol

Resources: Babycenter.com

Poisonous Household Products (PDF)
Safe House and Garden Plants and Trees (PDF)
Oklahoma Childproofers Safety Tips (PDF)