Bathroom Poison Safety

Many things in the bathroom can be poisonous if children eat or drink them. Medicines can also be dangerous for adults if they use them the wrong way. Read the label on the box or bottle of all products. If you see the words “Caution,” “Warning,” “Danger,” “Poison,” or “Keep Out of Reach of Children,” be very careful with that product. Keep it in a locked place if young children live or visit your home. Here are some other tips to keep your family safe from poisons in your bathroom.

• If something could hurt a child if she ate or drank it, buy it with a special cap or top that makes it harder for children to open it. Child-resistant packaging has been shown to help protect children from poisoning.

• Lock medicines and medical supplies, including personal needles, in a cabinet or box. Keep the key in a safe place where children cannot find it.

• Do not keep medicines inside purses, nightstand drawers, or other places children can find them.

• Keep all medicines in the bottle or box they came in. Make sure you save the label. It has information your doctor or pharmacist needs to help you in an emergency.

• Know that all medicines and vitamins can be poisonous to children. Keep them locked up.

• Other things like make-up, vitamins, hair products and cleaning materials can also hurt children. Read the labels. Store these in a locked place.

• If you take care of someone who uses medications, keep track of what they are taking. Use a pill holder to remind you how much they have taken and write down when they took it.

The Safe Way to Get Rid of Medicines You Do Not Need

• Be safe. Throw away medicines if you don't use them. Look at the date on the label. If the date has passed, throw the medicine away.

• Do not put medicines in the sink or toilet. They can poison our water and make people and animals sick. Put the medicine in the garbage.

• Take off the label before you throw the medicine container away if it has your name or any information about you.

• Wrap the container in paper or in a plastic bag. Close the bag and put it in the garbage. Keep children and pets away from the garbage.

• If you have pills, crush them before you throw them out. Mix the pieces into old coffee grounds, sand, or kitty litter.