Get your house prepared for accidental poisoning

By Chief John Rindfleisch
CLINTON FD
It’s spring and time to clean out the garage, basement, and storage shed. We need to be careful when handling these poisons and store them properly. When throwing away items you don’t need any more make sure to dispose of them safely.
Let’s go over what to do with poisons around the home. The average house-hold has as many as 250 “poisons.” They include common household items such as detergents, bleaches, birth control pills, insecticides, polishes, solvents, and disinfectants.
By taking the proper precautions, the tragedy of an accidental poisonings can be avoided. Children between the ages of one and three are the most frequent victims of this catastrophe, which may result in permanent damage or death.
The easiest, and often most effective, method of preventing accidental poisoning is to keep hazardous items locked up and out of the reach of children. Sometimes drawing attention to the items only serves to provoke a child’s curiosity.
When dealing with older children who can understand the danger, designate an area to be “off-limits.” Do you know what to do if an accident happens? Don’t panic since it will hinder your ability to think clearly and will

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