What is the importance of preventing poisoning?
Annually, the Poison Information Center (CIAV) receives about 30,000 calls, of which 30% correspond to situations involving children. In the group of children, the age group between 1 and 4 years represent 65% of the cases. The overwhelming majority of toxic exposure situations occur in the home. In 90% of cases, contact with the toxic agent is made by ingestion. Medications are the main agent involved in about 50% of cases. Detergents, bleaches and other household products account for an average of 20%.
What precautions should I take with children to avoid poisoning?
In childhood, parents and educators must know how to prevent accidents. Here are some precautions to take with children:
- Store packaging of potentially toxic products immediately after use
- Store all potentially toxic products, e.g. medicines, alcoholic beverages, cleaning products, pesticides out of your reach
- Keep the products in their original packaging, not using empty packaging to store other products
- Don't give empty wrappers to play with
- Explain the risk of taking medication and the danger of tasting or handling dangerous products
- Do not apply rodenticides or other pesticides in accessible places
- Do not place household products next to food
- Don't have toxic plants at home or in the garden (watch out for berries)
What other measures should be taken to prevent poisoning?
Avoid poisoning accidents:
- If you have to take medication at night, do not take or give medication in the dark
- Do not pick or cook field mushrooms if you do not know how to distinguish them exactly
- Read the pesticide application instructions carefully and use the products in accordance with the safety rules stated on the packaging
- Close the packages and store the products immediately after use
- Keep gas installations in good condition and, if possible, with safety devices
- Do not have gas installations in the bathroom
How should I interpret the labels of detergents and other products?
The labels of many products are marked with symbols that you should be familiar with. Look at the following image to learn how to identify the symbols on the labels.
What are the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas produced by the incomplete combustion of any carbon-containing substance. Poisoning resulting from the inhalation of this gas, usually from fires, fireplaces, car exhausts, water heaters, among others, causes a set of signs and symptoms whose severity can lead to death.
What precautions should I take to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning?
Prevent accidents caused by carbon monoxide inhalation:
- Keep the place ventilated whenever you use fireplaces or braziers
- Regularly check the water heater's fume exhaust system
- Keep the kitchen window open if you are cooking for a long time and using all the burners on the stove
- Never start the car in the garage with the door closed
Source: Poison Information Center (CIAV)