Tragic Child Deaths Avoided With Home Control Of Poisons

The VIRTUS ^® Programs 

Authorities report that a grandmother gave her two-year-old grandson “what she thought was a bottle of water to drink.” The water bottle was found on the floorboard of the grandfather’s truck. The bottle actually contained a “solution used to clean aluminum rims.” 

Incident investigators say the grandfather rushed the child to the hospital after realizing what the toddler had consumed. The child was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Authorities stated that the incident was “nothing more than a tragic accident.” No charges are expected to be filed. “Toddler dies after grandma accidentally gives him water bottle full of cleaning solution,” www.foxnews.com (Feb. 5, 2013).

According to a CNN report, poisoning deaths are on the rise among children. To a great extent, the increase is from prescription drug poisoning. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that adults keep medicines, cleaning solutions, and other toxic products in the original packaging and out of children’s reach.

For more details on how to prevent poisoning, visit the National Capital Poison Center at www.poison.org.

To help prevent accidental poisoning in your home, the following are tips from the CDC:

Put the poison control number (1-800-222-1222) on or near every telephone and save it on all family members’ cell phones. The line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Never put cleaning products in old soda bottles or containers that were once used for food.
  
• Never put insect or rodent poison on floors.
  
• Store medication, cleaning products, and aerosol sprays in a high or locked cabinet far from reach.
  
• Keep hazardous automotive and gardening products in a securely locked area.
  
• When cleaning or using household chemicals, never leave the bottles unattended if small children or pets are present.

This article is not part of your continuing training. To access your required bulletins you must log in using the form in the upper left-hand corner of the screen. Then go to the TRAINING tab.