SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Many people do not realize how many poisoning hazards are inside their homes, sitting in plain sight. Poisoning calls go up in the summer, as Jeanna Marraffa, Clinical Director at Upstate Poison Center explains:
People are out of their routines, people in and out of their homes and it just increases the risk of things getting into people’s hands.
A lot of household items can confuse even an adult. Sports drinks and floor cleaner are sometimes the same color, canned water and beers share similar cans and even vitamins sometimes look like candy.
Everyone has heard the advice, “keep it on a high shelf.” Marraffa suggests adding another layer to that, with a locked bag. She also recommends taking medications over the sink instead of over the floor, just in case something falls on the floor (reduces the risk of a child consuming it).
In the case of an emergency, call 1-800-222-1222 to contact the Poison Center. “They’ll gather information,” Marraffa says, “Then, they’ll provide recommendations for whether you should stay at home or go seek medical care.” The line is always open.