Poisoning

If you have kids, this number should be in various prominent parts of your home: 1-800-222-1222. This is the number for Poison Control. If you think your kiddo got into some medicine or other possibly toxic material, this number should be called even before calling your pediatrician. And no matter what grandpa tells you DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING UNTIL TOLD TO DO SO IN THE HOSPITAL SETTING by a poison control specialist. 

Your pediatrician will also call this number to report a possible poisoning/toxic exposure in order to get the best guidance on monitoring and treatment and to look for possible community or national trends in kids’ poisonings. This tracking system has led to improved safety for medication bottles and improved warnings for medications and common household materials that may create health concerns with exposures.

The best treatment for accidental poisoning is prevention. So make sure all cleaning supplies, medicines, vitamins, home improvement materials, and harsh chemicals are out of reach AND locked away from prying hands and clever kids who you did not know could so easily get on top of the counters while your back was turned. This also means having grandparents or other visitors who bring medicines with them lock those up. I can’t tell you how many calls I have gotten from frantic parents after little Johnny found grandma’s medicine bag during her trip to visit for the holidays.