Poison Prevention

• Always follow directions when giving medicine to your child.
• Create safe habits by having reoccurring reminders. Consider creating cell phones alerts or using medication schedules for dosing times.
• Double dosing is NOT twice as effective, and in many instances can cause internal damage.
• Adult medications may be too strong for children and should not be given in half doses. Only give medicine to your child that is intended for children.
• Read the warnings and follow package or physician directions.

• Many people leave medications on bathroom and kitchen counters as well as bedroom nightstand as a visual reminder to take them. Avoid unintentional injury and store medication up high, locked and out of reach.
• Keep medication in the original container to avoid confusion or poisonings.
• Hang purses and personal bags up high, so children are unable to reach prescriptions, vitamins, or other routinely used medications.
• Remember when visiting friends and family it is ok to have an open discussion about safe storage.

• Prescription / Over-the-counter medications
• Veterinary (animal) medications
• Vitamins / Minerals / Samples

• Oxygen tanks / nebulizers
• Needles / Sharps
• Thermometers / IV bags
• Any equipment or syringes to administer medications

If you do not have a drug take back location near you, check the FDA's flush list. Visit here to check if your medication is on the flush list. Remember, do NOT flush medications not on this list.

If your medication is not on the flush list you can follow these simple steps.

• Mix medicines (liquid or uncrushed pills) with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds.
• Place the mixture in a container, such as a sealed plastic bag.
• Throw away the container in the trash.
• Remove all personal information on the prescription label and packaging. Then trash and/or recycle the empty bottle and label.
• Medication syringes should be disposed of in a sharps container, or if unavailable, placed inside a thick plastic container (detergent bottle) and sealed.

For young children who are not yet reading and like to explore, poisonous products may look like food, drinks, and candy.

• Clothes detergents/pods are often swallowed because they are colorful and soft to the touch. Be sure to keep containers sealed and out of reach.
• Nicotine and vaping liquids tend to have enticing flavors and smells that are attractive to children. Hang purses and personal bags up high, so children are unable to grab cigarettes, vaping liquids, and other routinely used products.
• Floor cleaners and other cleaning liquids often look and smell like fruit juices and other common drinks. Designate specific cabinets to store cleaning supplies that can be locked and out of a child's reach.
• Some plants may be poisonous to young, exploring children, as well as to animals. Visit https://www.poison.org/articles/plant for a list of poisonous plants.
• Lawn chemicals, pesticides, and car cleaners should be kept in their original containers with labels so they are not mistaken for common drinks.
• Toys that are meant for kids often have hidden dangers, such as button batteries or small items that are choking hazards. Be sure to read labels, follow manufacturer's age recommendations and ensure any battery covers are kept intact.

Opiate/ Opioids: pain med given by a doctor; some opiates are not legal

• Other names: OxyContin, Percocet (oxycodone & acetaminophen), Vicodin (hydrocodone & acetaminophen), Codeine, Dilaudid, Morphine, Tramadol, Fentanyl, Heroin

Stimulant: a material that speeds up activity between the brain and body; makes a person feel more awake or alert

• Other names: Ritalin, Adderall, caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine, uppers

Sedative: medicine often given for feelings of worry, dread, stress, or panic attacks given by a doctor

• Other names: barbiturates, benzodiazepines, Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, benzos, bars, downers, Zannies

Inhalant: chemicals that are breathed in to give the user a fast rush or high; items include glue, hair spray, spray paint

• Other names: whippets, poppers, snappers, bullet

Synthetic Marijuana: human-made chemicals that are sprayed onto dried plant material so they can be smoked in e-cigarettes, pipes, or bongs to get high; misled as a safe, legal substitute to marijuana

• Other names: Spice, K2, herbal incense

THC: part of the hemp plant that causes the feelings of using marijuana; legal in some states for medical or non-medical use

• How it's used: lotions, oil, vapor, edibles, capsules, e-cigarette liquid

CBD: a part of the hemp plant that cannot get someone “high”; legally sold in some states for medical or non-medical use

• How it's used: lotions, oil, vapor, edibles, capsules, e-cigarette liquid

Vaping: to breathe in vapor created by electronic cigarettes; vapor contains chemicals for flavoring and nicotine that can be addicting like regular tobacco

E-Cigarette: battery operated electronic cigarette that heats up a special liquid into vapor that can be breathed in; the liquid known as “e-juice” contains nicotine and chemicals for flavoring

• Other names: Juul, NJOY, Puff bar, blu, Suorin

Help us protect kids from accidental poisoning. Please feel free to use our messaging below or create your own. Be sure to use #poisonprevention when you hashtag your post.

Do you know which one is candy? Kids don't either.

To kids, pills may not look harmful because they may be the same color and shape as candy. It is important to store all types of medication locked up and out of a child's reach. Practice safe storage, safe dosing and safe disposal. #poisonprevention

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Be sure to lock up your medications.

Kids are curious and often learn by putting things in their mouths. Help them learn what is okay to touch and keep medication and cleaning products locked up and out of reach. Practice safe storage, safe dosing and safe disposal. #poisonprevention

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Read the label to make sure you're giving your child the proper dosage.

It is critical to follow directions when giving medicine to your child. Double dosing is not twice as effective, and may be toxic for a child's body. Practice safe storage, safe dosing and safe disposal. #poisonprevention

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Adults may know this is a cleaning product. Does a child see something different?

Kids are attracted to bright colors. Young children who cannot read may see colorful labels or liquids and think it's juice when really it's a household cleaner. Even simple laundry pods can be dangerous. The pods are soft and colorful but have harmful residue if absorbed in their mouths, noses, or ears. Practice safe storage, safe dosing and safe disposal. #poisonprevention

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More than 60% of poisonings seen at Cook Children's are medication related.

Little kids are curious and still figuring things. Make sure their curiosity doesn't get the best of them (and you) and remember to put all medications in a locked box in an out-of-reach, safe area. #poisonprevention

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Deaths by accidental poisonings have doubled since the 1990s.

Take the time to tour your house and make sure that medications, pill boxes, household cleaners, and even product such as mouthwash and soap are out of reach from your little one's hands. #poisonprevention

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Is your home a danger zone?

Take a tour of your home inside and out and look for easy access to medication, pill boxes, household cleaners, and even products such as mouthwash and soap. The little time it takes to do this can help prevent a lifetime of tragedy as the result of a poisoning accident. #poisonprevention

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Do you know how to dispose of your medication?

If you have unused or expired medications in your home, it's important to remove them. However, don't just throw them away or flush them down the sink or toilet. Instead, they need to be properly disposed of at designated drop off locations. #poisonprevention

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Download all social media graphics

Items to request:

• Lookalike card (English & Spanish)
• Home safety plan checklist (English & Spanish)
• Safe & sound pain management disposal magnet
• Poison Control Center magnet
• Medication schedule pad

Additional resources:

• Safe Kids Worldwide - medicine safety
• Safe Kids Worldwide - research reports
• Safe Kids Worldwide - poison prevention
• Texas Poison Center Network
• DEA national takeback events
• Waste Wizard