Poison Proofing Your Home

• Poison Proofing Your Home Introduction
• Reasons for Poison Proofing Your Home
• Protect Yourself From Household Chemicals
• Protect Yourself From Medications
• Protect Yourself From Plants
• Special Tips for Homes With Very Young Children
• What to Do When a Poisoning Happens
• Treatment in the Emergency Department
• What Is the Poison Control Center?
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Synonyms and Keywords
• References
• Authors and Editors

Poison Proofing Your Home Introduction

Each year, millions of people are accidentally poisoned. The cause of poisonings often varies according to age. Children younger than 6 years, for example, are at a greater risk of swallowing household cleaners and other products because they are curious and like to put substances in their mouths. Older adults taking several medications may become forgetful and mistakenly take too much of a medication or the wrong kind of medication.

A poison is any substance that causes an unintended effect. Many ordinary substances in a person's home can cause an unintentional poisoning. People can protect themselves and their family by following simple steps to make the home safe from poisons.