Thousands of deaths occur each year while children sleep.
A baby should always sleep face up. Make sure
that everyone who comes into contact with your
infant -- you, grandparents and other relatives,
childcare providers, babysitters -- know to
always place an infant on his or her back at
night or naptime.
Use a firm mattress in a safety-approved
crib or bassinet. Do not use a crib with
a mattress that allows you to fit two
fingers between it and the sides of the crib.
Never put an infant on a waterbed, bean bag, or
anything soft enough to cover the face.
Do not place a crib within reach of window
blind or curtain cords.
Test the batteries in your smoke detectors on
the first day of every month. Change the batteries
twice a year.
Plan and practice a fire escape route with
your family.
For more information:
American SIDS Institute
National Maternal and Child Health Clearinghouse
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
If you suspect a poisoning emergency, immediately
contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Post
this number by your telephone. Calls to Poison
Control are free.
By following these guidelines, you will
be able to help prevent poisoning:
Keep all chemicals and medicines locked up
and out of sight.
Use child-resistant packaging properly
by closing the container securely after
each use or choosing child-resistant blister
cards, which do not need to be re-secured.
Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately in case of
poisoning. Keep on hand a bottle of ipecac
syrup but use it only if the poison center
instructs you to induce vomiting.
When products are in use, never let young
children out of your sight, even if you must
take them along when answering the phone or
doorbell.
Keep items in original containers.
Leave the original labels on all products, and
read the label before using.
Do not put decorative lamps and candles that
contain lamp oil where children can reach them.
Lamp oil can be very toxic if ingested by young
children.
Always leave the light on when giving or
taking medicine. Check the dosage every time.
Avoid taking medicine in front of children. Refer
to medicine as “medicine,” not “candy.”
Clean out the medicine cabinet periodically and
safely dispose of unneeded and outdated medicines.
The American Red Cross advocates that at least
one person in every household be trained in
lifesaving first aid, CPR and AED. This can
help people prevent, prepare for and respond
to poisoning and other emergencies.
To get a free packet of poison prevention
publications, write to Poison Prevention
Packet, CPSC, Washington, DC 20207, or
visit the Poison Prevention Week Council Web site.
Anatomy of a First Aid Kit
A well-stocked first aid kit is a handy
thing to have. To be prepared for emergencies,
keep a first aid kit in your home and in your
automobile. Carry a first aid kit with you or
know where you can find one when you are hiking,
biking, camping or boating. Find out the
location of first aid kits where you work.
First aid kits come in many shapes and sizes.
You can buy one from a drug store,
the RedCross.org store,
your local American Red Cross chapter
may sell them, or you can
make your own kit. Some kits are
designed for special activities
such as hiking, camping or boating. Whether you buy
a first aid kit or put one together, make
sure it has all the items you may need. Include
any personal items, such as medications
and emergency phone numbers, or other
items your physician may suggest.
Check the kit regularly. Make sure the flashlight
batteries work. Check expiration dates
and replace any used or out-of-date contents.
The contents of a first aid kit can
be dangerous in the hands of young children.
Store your first aid kit in a secure place
out of the reach of young children.
Here are suggestions for the contents
of a first aid kit:
Activated Charcoal (use only if instructed
by Poison Control Center)
Adhesive Tape
Antiseptic Ointment
Band-Aids (assorted sizes)
Blanket
Cold Pack
Disposable Gloves
Gauze Pads and Roller Gauze (assorted sizes)
Hand Cleaner
Plastic Bags
Scissors and Tweezers
Small Flashlight and Extra Batteries
Syrup of Ipecac (use only if instructed by
Poison Control Center)
Triangular Bandage
