Poison prevention at home: the forgotten places

When we think of poison prevention, we often picture the kitchen or bathroom cabinet. But many poisonings happen because hazardous products are stored in unexpected or forgotten places. This guide highlights those overlooked spots and gives you practical steps to reduce the risk.

What is happening

Common household items such as medicines, cleaning supplies, and automotive fluids can be dangerous if swallowed, inhaled, or splashed on the skin or eyes. Children are naturally curious, and adults can also make mistakes when products are not clearly labeled or are stored in unusual containers. The good news: most poisonings are preventable with simple changes.

Emergency warning

If you suspect someone has been poisoned, call your local poison control center or emergency services immediately. In the US, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. If the person is unconscious, having trouble breathing, or seizing, call emergency services right away.

Forgotten places to check

• Laundry room: Detergent pods, bleach, and stain removers are often within easy reach. Keep them in a locked cabinet.
• Garage and shed: Antifreeze, pesticides, and fertilizers are extremely toxic. Store them in their original containers, locked away, and never in food or drink bottles.
• Bedside table and purse: Pain relievers, sleep aids, and other medicines can be dangerous if found by children. Use child-resistant containers and keep them out of sight.
• Under the sink: Even if latched, children can sometimes get in. Consider moving hazardous products to a higher, locked cabinet.
• Pet areas: Pet medicines and flea treatments can be toxic to children. Store them separately from human medicines.
• Garden and outdoor areas: Mushrooms, berries, and plants can be poisonous. Teach children not to eat anything from the yard without asking.

Step by step

1. Do a room-by-room audit. Look for products that could be harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or touched.
2. Secure hazardous products. Move them to a locked cabinet or high shelf, out of reach and sight of children.
3. Keep products in original containers. Never transfer to food or drink containers, and never mix different products.
4. Install child-resistant latches on cabinets and drawers that contain medicines or chemicals.
5. Safely dispose of expired or unused medicines and chemicals. Follow local guidelines for disposal.
6. Post the Poison Control number visibly and save it in your phone.

What NOT to do

• Do not store food or drinks near chemicals or cleaning products.
• Do not leave medicines on counters or bedside tables where children can reach them.
• Do not assume child-resistant packaging is child-proof; it is only child-resistant.
• Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a medical professional.
• Do not rely on smell or taste to identify a poison; some dangerous substances have no warning signs.

When to seek professional care

Call poison control or emergency services if you have any concern about exposure, even if the person seems fine. Symptoms can be delayed. If the person has swallowed something potentially toxic, has trouble breathing, is drowsy, or has burns around the mouth, seek emergency care immediately.

How to prevent it

Make poison prevention a habit: store all hazardous products locked up and out of sight, keep the Poison Control number handy, and teach children not to touch or eat anything without asking an adult. Regularly check forgotten spots like the garage, laundry room, and purse, and involve everyone in the household in keeping these areas safe.

This is general information and not a substitute for professional medical advice. In an emergency, call your local emergency services.