It is National Poison Prevention Week and experts emphasize the importance of reducing chances of accidental poisoning especially among children in their homes. They are informing parents and families of the common household hazards that can lead to poisoning.
According to the Poison Center in North Carolina, poisoning is now the leading cause of unintentional injury death in the US, and nearly 9 out of 10 poisoning deaths are caused by drugs. Subsequently, the death rate nationwide due to unintentional poisoning is 11.6 deaths per 100,000 population.
Kirk Hughes, education director at the Minnesota Poison Control System, said that while most of the people are at risk, children and kids are more affected. Because of this, he recommends that all products that can be hazardous to their health should be kept out of their reach.
"The most common exposure is getting into medications, whether that's over-the-counter or prescription medications. Of course, these can represent a more serious outcome. Coming to springtime here, obviously we're going to have lots of fertilizers and pesticides, and all that sort of thing," he added.
Here is a list of the most common poisons at home that need supervision from adults.
1. Paracetamol
Paracetamol is a common drug found in households. Though it is safe in recommended dosages, it can be a common cause of poisoning. Liver damage can occur if taken in large dosages than the recommended ones.
2. Codeine
Codeine is used as a pain reliever and drug for cough. It is often combined with other drugs but an overdose of it can cause serious and fatal problems. It can make people drowsy, reduce the heart rate and even slow down breathing.
3. Antibiotics
Antibiotics can cause serious complications because they can lead to serious allergic reactions to people, such as difficulty in breathing. Anaphylactic shock is a deadly condition, so if someone has taken it and you suspect he has an allergy, call the poison center right away.
4. Dishwashing liquid, dishwasher powder and bleach
These common household needs may be fatal to children if ingested. Bleach can cause chemical burns and complications when splashed to the eyes. Flushing with water in the exposed part is the first thing to do in order to remove the chemicals from the eyes, mouth or skin.
5. Mushrooms
Mushrooms have a wide variety of classes and some of them may be poisonous. It is very difficult to accurately identify mushroom species. Symptoms can be delayed for several days or weeks, and can include an upset stomach, hallucinations, even liver and kidney damage.