The Most Common Causes of Accidental Poisoning
Most poisonings occur at home. Here’s where the danger lies and how to keep your family safer.
When considering matters pertaining to the health and safety of yourself and your loved ones, poisoning might not be the foremost concern on your mind. However, it may astonish you to learn that there are over two million reported cases of poisoning in the U.S. annually, with likely numerous additional cases that go unreported. Thus, while this hazard may not be immediately apparent, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the primary causes of poisoning to mitigate risks to your family's well-being.
Accidental poisoning is especially a risk for young children, but this age group is not the only one at risk. Older adults also are at an increased risk of unintentional poisoning. People of any age may accidentally ingest, inhale, or touch something dangerous without realizing what they are doing.
Here are some common causes of accidental poisoning:
- Medicine – These may be prescription or over-the-counter drugs. “Not only are opioids of concern, but medicines for high blood pressure, diabetes, mental health, colds, and coughs can be hazardous for children,” says PIH Health Pediatrician Keith Miyamoto MD. Even if prescribed to your child, medicine can be harmful if ingested in large doses. Liquid medicines are often sweet and a child may consume a large dose if they get their hands on it.
- Personal hygiene products – Those products sitting on your bathroom counter or in your purse, in pretty bottles, and with attractive labels, may be toxic in the wrong hands. Children may find items like makeup, perfume, and lotions fascinating, but don’t understand the danger of putting the items in their mouths, spraying them in their eyes, or swallowing them.
- Alcohol – Not only are alcoholic drinks dangerous to children because their bodies are not yet capable of metabolizing the alcohol, but alcohol may also be found in other products. This includes things like perfumes, mouthwash, and hand sanitizers. While these items may seem harmless, they can cause of a risk of accidental poisoning in the wrong hands.
- Cleaning products – Almost all types of cleaning products are made with chemicals that can burn skin and eyes, cause respiratory distress, or result in even more serious health issues if ingested. Kids see adults using these products regularly and they may be left out on counters or tables, where children have easy access. These products should be treated as dangerous and locked up when not in use if you have young children in the house.
- Recreational drugs – As with medications, recreational drugs can be an extreme health hazard if consumed by young children. To make matters worse, more and more recreational drugs are being sold in forms that look appealing to children—such as gummy candies, cookies, and lollipops.
- Pesticides – Whether you have products on hand to kill weeds in your garden or ants in your kitchen, they can be especially toxic to humans. Pesticides should always be kept in a locked cabinet, out of reach of children. They should also be left in their original containers so they are not mistaken for something less toxic.
If you suspect that someone has ingested, inhaled, or otherwise been in contact a toxic subject, call your local poison control center or the National Poison Control Hotline at 1.800.222.1222 for further instructions. You may need to take the person to the closest emergency room. Call 911 if the symptoms appear to be life-threatening.
Keith S. Miyamoto MD
Dr. Miyamoto became inspired to pursue pediatric medicine after a cousin died of leukemia at age seven. “I love children. They make me laugh and smile,” comments Dr. Miyamoto who enjoys “caring for the wide range of diseases and health issues” and cherishes the relationships he’s established with parents and families. A native of Arcadia, Dr. Miyamoto played water polo, basketball and swam in high school. Married for over 30 years, the father of three stays active with golf, running, skiing and mountain biking and belongs to ChildD, a nonprofit organization that provides resources to students with learning disabilities.
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