General Poison Safety Information

Household

Occupational

Medications

Pesticides

Plants

Household Poison Safety

Kitchen

• Keep all products in their original containers and out of reach of children.
• Install child safety latches on all drawers or cabinets containing harmful products.
• Store harmful products away from food.
• Keep emergency phone numbers near the phone. Place the Central Texas Poison Center sticker with 800-222-1222 on your phone. Also, make your name, address and phone number available in case a babysitter or friend has to call.

Bathroom

• Keep medicines in original containers with child-resistant caps.
• Regularly clean out the medicine chest.
• Keep medicines, sprays, cosmetics, fingernail preparations, hair care products, etc., out of reach of children.
• Install child safety latches on all drawers or cabinets containing harmful products.

Garage

• Keep all products in their original containers.
• Lock up all harmful products and keep out of reach of children.
• Keep original labels on all containers.

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Occupational Hazards

• Be aware of any chemicals around your workplace and safety precautions needed when working with them.
• Make sure you know the safety procedures for your work site and what to do in the event of an emergency. Also, know the location of the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets).
• Always wear the proper safety equipment when necessary on the job site and follow instructions for wash-up.

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Medications

• Always read labels.
• Do not borrow or loan prescribed medicines.
• Throw out old or expired medications by flushing medicines down the toilet.
• Keep your doctor informed of prescription and non-prescription medicines you are taking.
• Check with your pharmacist or physician, if you are taking two or more medications at the same time. Call the poison center, if you still have questions.
• Never take more than the prescribed amount of any medication.
• Use child-resistant containers in your purse and keep medicines in locked cabinets at home.
• Always store medicines in their original containers.
• Never refer to medicine as candy and avoid taking medicine in the presence of children.

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Pesticides

• Use gloves, protective clothing and eyeware to prevent skin and eye exposures.
• Store pesticides in their original containers and away from food or drinks.
• Read and follow directions and warnings before using a product.
• Never mix different products or chemicals.
• Remember that using twice the amount of chemical needed does not mean that you will gain twice the benefit.
• Dispose of toxic chemicals properly by contacting the Texas Department of Health.

Texas Department of Health

Austin: 512-467-9875

Belton: 254-939-2091

Bryan/College Station:  409-857-4116

Killeen: 254-526-8371

Temple: 254-778-6744

Waco: 254-751-7280

Emergency Actions for Pesticide Poisoning

Poison on the Skin: Remove contaminated clothing and flood skin with water for 10 minutes. Then gently wash with soap and water and rinse. If at all possible, have the container or label with the ingredients listed while making the call.

Chemical Burns on the Skin: Remove contaminated clothing and flood skin with water. Avoid using ointments, greases, powders and other drugs in first aid treatment of burns. Keep area as clean as possible.

Poison in the Eye: Flood eye with lukewarm (not hot) water poured from a large, clean glass 2 or 3 inches from the eye. Repeat for 15 minutes. Have patient blink as much as possible while flooding the eye.

Inhaled Poisons (dusts, vapors, gases): Immediately get the person to fresh air. Avoid breathing fumes. Open doors and windows wide. If victim is not breathing, begin artificial respiration and call 9-1-1.

Swallowed Poisons
Medicines: Do not give anything by mouth until you have called for professional advice.
Chemicals or Household Products: Unless the patient is unconscious, having convulsions or cannot swallow, give milk or water immediately, then call for professional advice.

Insect Bites/Stings: Remove stinger. Apply meat tenderizer or baking soda paste to site. Use ice packs as needed for swelling. If patient develops breathing problems, itching, nasal congestion, wheezing or swelling around the lips or tongue, go to the nearest emergency room or call 9-1-1.

After following the above emergency actions, immediately call the Poison Center.

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Plants

• Know the plants in your area, yard and home. Label pots with the common and botanical names.
• Keep plants, seeds, fruits and bulbs stored safely away from children and pets. Remember Christmas plants such as mistletoe and holly may be dangerous.
• Teach children at an early age to keep plants out of their mouths. Make them aware of poisonous plants.
• Do not allow children to suck on flowers or make "tea" from leaves.
• Do not eat wild plants, especially mushrooms. Heating and cooking do not always destroy the toxic components.
• Do not make homemade medicines, shampoos, lotions or teas from plants. Be careful of herbal health store remedies.
• Avoid smoke from burning plants. Do not smoke health store "non-tobacco" cigarettes.
• Remember, a leaf can block an infant's airway. Do not allow small children to play in areas where plants and grasses are high.
• Never chew on jewelry made from seeds, beans or grasses from plants.
• Learn to identify plants that may cause a rash, such as poison ivy or poison oak.
• Do not make toys or whistles from unknown flowers or trees.

Emergency Actions for Plant Poisoning

Mouth: Remove any remaining portion of the plant, berry or mushroom. Save and preserve a piece of the plant or mushroom in a dry container (jar or box) to bring in for identification. Have the patient wash mouth out with water. Check for any irritation, swelling or discoloration.

Skin: A few plants may cause irritation, itching and/or a rash to the skin. To prevent further irritation, remove contaminated clothing. Wash skin gently with soap and water and rinse.

Eyes: Wash hands with soap and water to avoid further irritation to the eye. Rinse eye well with lukewarm (not hot) water for 10-15 minutes. Standing in a cool shower to wash eyes out is an easy way to rinse the eye.

After following the above steps, always call the Central Texas Poison Center. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. 800-222-1222 or 9-1-1.

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