What Is a Poison?

A poison is something that can be harmful if swallowed, spilled on the skin, splashed in the eyes or breathed in. Children are often confused about what a poison is. They may know that poisons are "bad." However, children do not know that something sweet smelling or tasting can be poison too.

Examples of poisonous things that children may eat

Medicines such as:

Vitamins with iron
Pain or fever reducers
Cough and cold medications
Pills for depression and heart disease

Cleaners for our home, car and clothes:

Toilet cleaners and drain openers
Laundry detergent and bleach
Kerosene, gasoline or lamp oils
Antifreeze and windshield washer fluids

Tips to Prevent Poisonings

Buy products with child-resistant caps, but beware, child-resistant caps are not CHILD PROOF. After your child learns how to open them, these caps will not keep your child safe.
Always tightly close caps after each use.
Keep medicine and cleaners out of sight in cupboards with child-resistant latches.
Be careful when using medicines and cleaners. If the phone or doorbell rings, close the cap before you answer it. Children can eat poisons in seconds.
Do not put poison in empty food bottles. Someone might eat it!
Clean up after working around the house, car and garden. Throw out leftover cleaners, sprays and kerosene right away.
Old medicines often stop working, but they can still poison children. Throw out old medications. Your local pharmacist can help you with this task.
Buy products that have a bittering agent. Poisons with a bittering agent taste so bad that children often will not eat them.

When There Is a Poison Emergency . . .

Call for help! Call the experts at the Oregon Poison Center. No question is too small!