1. HEALTHY HOME
Beware of
Look-a-likes

2. Every Ten Minutes
In Kentucky there is a poisoning every
10 minutes …

3. Poisoning Reported 50 percent are children under age of 6
73 percent can be managed at home

4. Kentucky Regional Poison Control Center
Contact the Kentucky Regional Poison Control Center
They can advise if hospitalization is needed AND will alert hospital of expected arrrival

5. Kentucky Regional Poison Control Center
What is a Poison?
A poison is any product or substance that can be harmful if it is:
Used in the wrong way
Used by the wrong person
Used in the wrong amount
Kentucky Regional Poison Control Center

6. Four Forms of Poisoning
Solids
Plants
Powders
Medications
Foreign objects

7. Four Forms of Poisoning
Liquids
Bleach
Lamp oil
Cleaners
Perfume

8. Four Forms of Poisoning
Sprays
Insecticides
Paint
Cosmetics
Cleaners

9. Four Forms of Poisoning
Invisibles substances that cannot be seen
Carbon Monoxide
Mixing of products and gases

10. Five Ways to be Poisoned
SWALLOWED POISON
POISON IN THE EYE
POISON ON SKIN
INHALED POISON
BITES/STINGS

11. “Remember that nothing is child proof
“Remember that nothing is child proof.” George Rodgers, MD Former President of American Association of Poison Control Centers
The definition of child resistant is that 80 percent of four-year old children Cannot open the container within four minutes.

12. Kentucky Regional Poison Control Center
Common Poisons
1. Personal care products 2. Cleaning substances 3. Cough/cold products 4. Pain relievers 5. Foreign bodies (coins, batteries, etc.) 6. Topical ointments/creams 7. Insecticides and rat poisons 8. Vitamins 9. Antimicrobials (antibiotics, etc.) 10. Plants and mushrooms
Ten most frequent categories of substances that involve poisoning in children under 6 years old.
Kentucky Regional Poison Control Center

13. Where are Poisons?
Poisons are found everywhere and can be found in any room in the home.

14. Risks for Young Children
Over 50 percent of calls to Poison Control Center are regarding kids under 6 years old.
Children explore their environment by touching and putting things in their mouths.
Children imitate others.
Young children cannot read.
Although the most calls are
for children, they have the
lowest mortality rates.
Kentucky Regional Poison Control Center

15. Poisonings Occur When:
Products are not stored properly.
Children are exploring.
Children are visiting grandparents.
Children are unsupervised.
There are changes in schedules, routines or it is a holiday.
Harmful products look like something else (look-a-likes).
Kentucky Regional Poison Control Center

16. Beware of Look-a-likes
Things aren’t always what they seem.
Some hazardous products look like items that are safe and consumable.

17. Take a Look Around Inspect your home room-by-room to locate look-a-likes and other hazardous products.
Kitchen
Bathroom
Bedroom
Living room
Garage
Basement
Laundry room

18. Think About How Things Look Alike?
The stuff on
the INSIDE
can look-a-like.
Keep things in
their original
containers.
Tightly close
lids.
Photo provided with permission by Kentucky Regional Poison Control Center

19. Think About How Things Look Alike?
Some containers
look alike
but have very
different things
inside.
Children also
learn from
imitating how
you use things.
Photo provided with permission by Kentucky Regional Poison Control Center

20. Candy or Medicine? Look-a-like Drugs
Altoid Mints Aspirin
Sweettart Equate Cold Medication
Mini M&M Sudafed Decongestant
M&M Dimetapp
Hershey’s Ex-Lax Laxative
Jelly Bean Iron Vitamin
Clorets Gum Aspergum
Skittles Drixoral
Skittles E-Mycin
Carolinas Poison Center ©
Photo used with permission by Kentucky Regional Poison Control Center
Never call medicine candy.

21. Examples Of Some Look-a-likes
Lime gelatin power : Drain cleaner crystals
Whipped topping : Oven cleaner
Chocolate candy bar : Laxative
Sweet and sour candy : Heart burn tablets
Honey : Motor oil
Gummy candy : Gummy vitamins
Breath mint : Aspirin, roach tablets
Yellow soda : Antifreeze
Water : Alcohol

22. Store Poisons Safely In Your…
House
Garage
Yard
Diaper bag
Purse
Car
Barn or outside building
Be sure to poison-proof each time you bring something home.
Be prepared, before a poisoning happens.

23. Be Poison Safe Call 1-800-222-1222 First!!
Teach children to “Always Ask First”
Keep products in their original container.
Be sure you are safe. Never guess.
Call
First!!
***If the person is unconscious, having convulsions or difficulty breathing, call 911, RIGHT AWAY!***

24. Resources
Henken, K. (n.d.) Poison proof your home. Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.
Rodgers, G. (n.d.). Be poison safe: EMS poison pack training manual. Kentucky Regional poison Center of Kosair Children Hospital.
Wilson, B. (2011). Educator booklet. Kentucky Regional Poison Control Center
Wilson, B. (n.d.). Promoting safe families through poison preventions education. Kentucky Regional Poison Control Center.

25. Graphics: Microsoft Windows Live
Photographs: Kentucky Regional Poison Control Center
National Center for Healthy Housing
Kelli Bonifer, B.S.
Adair County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences
January 2012
Copyright © 2012 for materials developed by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational and non-profit purposes only. Permitted uses shall give credit to the authors and include this copyright notice.
Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.