(Poison and Kids – Part 1 first appeared in the Pubic Opinion Newspaper.)It’s important to protect our kids from household items that are poisonous, but what should you do if they ingest something toxic? Andrew Kyle Ducey, certified registered pediatric nurse practitioner at Keystone Pediatrics, shares what to do if you discover your child has ingested something dangerous. 
Poison
Childhood poisoning is a common problem with approximately 2.2 million cases of poisoning per year, more than half involving unintentional poisoning of children less than 6 years old. Poisoning in teenagers is predominantly intentional related to suicidal attempts or gestures. Ninety percent of poisonings occur at home while parents are busy doing other things.
Risk
Younger children are at higher risk for unintentional poisoning due to natural childhood development. Children become more mobile, and their fine motor skills improve. They are naturally curious and learn a lot by putting things in their mouth and tasting them. As children get older (pre-teens and teenagers), the goal of independence, peer pressure and the desire to conform or fit in, along with the tendency to believe that they are indestructible, may cause them to take undue risks when it comes to illicit drugs, substance abuse, or dangerous fads.
What to do
If you find a child with an open or empty container that could potentially be considered toxic, poisoning should be expected. If the child is acting inappropriately, parents should seek prompt medical attention. Other signs of poisoning include: unexplained stains on clothes, burns on lips or around the mouth, unusual drooling, unexplained nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain without fever or other cause, difficulty breathing, increased sleepiness, irritability, or jitteriness, and seizures or unconsciousness, which are rare but serious.
Call for help
Ipecac Syrup is a drug that was used in the past to make children vomit after ingesting poison. This may make sense and seem like the right thing to try as a home treatment, but it is not a good treatment for poisoning because it can cause more harm than good. The best thing parents can do is stay calm and act quickly. Parents should contact their regional Poison Center, which is staffed 24/7 by professionals trained to give advice.
Get Help Fast
The Poison Control Center can be reached toll free at 1-800-222-1222. If you can’t call the poison center, then parents should call 911 or report directly to the nearest emergency department. Different poison exposures require varied treatment modalities; therefore, if poisoning is of a concern then it is best to seek medical help promptly.
This article contains general information only and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment or care by a qualified health care provider.
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