11 Ways to Protect Your Family from Common Household Poisoning

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 87 people die every day as a result of accidental poisoning of household chemicals. An additional 2277 people are treated in emergency rooms every day.

The most common cause of accidentaly poisoning is medication - either taken inappropriately or accidentally.

Here's how to protect yourself and your family:

1. Read all labels and follow directions before using any product.
2. Store all poisonous substances out of the reach of children. Lock your cabinets or use safety latches. 
3. Store all potentially poisonous substances in their original containers. Never put poisonous substances in old food containers.
4. Always use child-resistant packaging.
5. Never call medicine 'candy' to persuade a child to take medicine.
6. Flush old or unused medicines down the toilet.
7. Teach children not to touch or eat anything they don't recognize.
8. If you suspect that a poisoning has occurred, call poison control. In NJ, the number if 800-222-1222. You will need to provide the patient's age and weight, the name of the substance consumed, the amount consumed, and any symptoms the patient is exhibiting.
9. Be sure that babysitters know the poison control number.
10. If a poisoning has occurred and the patient is unconscious, having  a seizure, or unable to breathe, call 911.
11. Switch to green cleaning supplies.