SELF CARE ADVICE ON POISONOUS SUBSTANCES

The following advice is common sense really but I feel it is worth repeating:-

• Lock all chemicals and medicines away in a child-proof container.

• Keep all products in their original containers.

• Never put any medicines or chemicals such as weed killers in soft drink bottles.

• Never refer to medicines as sweets.

• Clean out old medicines frequently and return them for safe destruction.

• Rinse empty containers and throw them out in a safe place.

• Never take or give any medicines in the dark.

• Wherever possible buy products that have child resistant caps.

• Store cleaning products out of reach and, where possible, out of sight of children.

• Keep the number of the local poisons unit, your family doctor and your local hospital ready to hand in case of emergency.

Below is a list of products that could be dangerous, some obvious and some not so obvious:-

• Dish washing liquid
• Soap
• Window cleaner
• Oven cleaner
• Medicines
• Vitamins
• Furniture polish
• Drain cleaner
• Ammonia
• Washing powder
• Bleach
• Fabric softener
• Dye
• Rat/ant poisons
• Moth balls
• Petrol
• Car wax/soaps
• Weedkiller/pesticides
• Paint
• Windscreen washer fluid
• Antifreeze
• White spirit
• Solvents
• Adhesives
• Cosmetic products
• Shampoo
• Medications (ointments etc.)
• Cleansers
• Perfume
• Painkillers