Essential Poison Safety Tips for Back to School Season From Rutgers Poison Expert
By Alex Connell,
2024-08-30
School and craft supplies can sometimes be harmful in the wrong situation as well, the Rutgers expert said. Credits: Shutterstock
NEW JERSEY, NJ - A Rutgers University poison expert has offered tips on how to prevent children from coming into contact with poisons as we enter back to school season.
Diane Calello, executive and medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School said that due to the frantic nature of getting back into routine in September, accidents that usually wouldn’t happen, do.
“Potentially dangerous products are commonly found in our everyday environments and often go unnoticed until a mishap occurs. Situations can become dangerous quickly and without warning depending on the dose of a product,” Calello said.
She also said that classrooms can be hazardous at times, taking cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, school and craft supplies, hand sanitizers and even batteries into consideration, “When you combine distraction with easy access and unsafe storage of potentially harmful products, mishaps are likely to happen.”
The New Jersey Poison Control Center recommends the following safety tips to prevent children of all ages from coming in contact with potential poisons at home and school:
Store all medicines, household cleaners and adult recreational substances such as alcohol or cannabis edibles in their original containers and in secure or locked areas. These products can cause serious side effects in children. Cannabis edibles can be mistaken for candy and other food products.
When giving a child more than one medicine, make sure the medicines do not have the same active ingredients. Only give young children medicine formulated for children.
Measure liquid medicine with an oral syringe or medicine spoon, cup or dropper. Never use a kitchen soup spoon because it is not a true measure for a teaspoon or tablespoon.
Give young children limited, monitored access to hand sanitizer. Do not keep it in their backpacks or lunch bags. Hand sanitizers can be dangerous if enough is swallowed.
School supplies should be non-toxic and kept in their original containers, whether provided by the school or brought in by students and parents. Look for the AP (Approved Product) seal from ACMI (Art and Creative Materials Institute) on the packaging which certifies products to be non-toxic and safe for kids.
Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before touching food and after interacting with others to prevent illnesses. Wash food preparation surfaces.
Pack lunch foods in insulated containers to prevent food from spoiling and causing illness. Keep hot foods hot by using thermoses and other insulated containers. Cold food should be kept cold by using ice packs or cooling bags.
Watch children outdoors. Many potential poisons hide in plain sight, including toxic wild mushrooms, lawn and garden chemicals, pest control products and poisonous plants like poison ivy and poison hemlock.
Read warnings and follow the directions on product labels. Avoid using multiple cleaners at the same time as the combination of ingredients can cause toxic fumes.
If you think someone has come into contact with something dangerous or if you have questions and need information, contact the New Jersey Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222.
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