CHILD SAFETY — POISONING

Pesticides
Pesticides prevent, destroy and repel pests, but they can also contaminate indoor air when used to treat indoor plants, pets, wood and woollen products. Surveys show 75 percent of households use at least one pesticide indoors yearly, usually an insecticide or disinfectant.

• Common household pesticides include:
• cockroach sprays and baits
• insect repellents
• Rat and rodent poisons
• flea and tick sprays and collars
• kitchen, laundry and bath disinfectants and sanitisers
• Mold and mildew control products

Risks from pesticides

• Pesticides can pose a health risk to humans, animals and your environment, particularly when the are used or stored improperly.
• Always store these products beyond the reach of children or household pets, and always follow label instructions (for example, cleaners like bleach and ammonia should never be mixed. Combined they make a gas that is noxious and deadly).
• Before using pesticides, ventilate the area to be treated and remove children, pets and toys from the area to be treated.
• Use the pesticide at labelled rates, i.e., don't mix more than the label suggests or use higher concentrations than advised on the label.

Can you avoid pesticides?
Try these nonchemical methods of pest, mold and mildew control in your establishment:

• Get professional help first. You may not need a pesticide if the pest poses no threat to health-like roaches, because their faeces can cause allergic attacks-or structural integrity-like termites.
• Keep bathroom floors, shelves and other surfaces clean to eliminate mold or fungi. Try using those bleach free daily shower cleaners to keep mold and mildew at bay, also pull shower curtains so that they can dry thoroughly after each use.
• Wipe eating surfaces, sinks and cabinets of food spills.
• Keep things like sugar and sweets in airtight containers (especially if ants have been a problem). Breads and cereals should also be kept in airtight containers to keep out wheat mites, and mice.
• Keep pets infested with fleas outside or in nonliving areas of your home until the pest is under control. Children should not be allowed to play with pets after chemical dips or similar treatments for ticks and fleas.
• Old-fashioned mousetraps might be a bit gruesome, but they're effective and not as dangerous as poisons-which can be tracked throughout your home. If these make you squeamish, then try an electronic pest deterrent.

Try cedar balls, chips, sprays, shelves or chests for protecting woollen garments and blankets from moths. Their fragrant, woodsy scent mean no more aroma of moth ball on your blankets and coats

Safety with Medicines
Accidents frequently occur because people are careless with medicines or chemical substances used in the home. Observance of the following points will help to reduce such accidents.

• Keep all medicines and drugs out of the reach of children, preferably in a locked medicine cupboard in the kitchen or bathroom. A lockable suitcase will suffice.
• Do not accumulate medicines or drugs.
• Dispose of unwanted medicines or drugs SAFELY.
  
  Never exceed the stated dose. Follow the instructions on the container carefully.
• Some medicines are for external use only. NEVER use them otherwise.
• Do not transfer medicines to other containers.
  NEVER tell children that medicines or capsules are sweets.

FIRST AID
If you think the child has swallowed something harmful -
CONTACT THE PARENTS

For Tablets:

• DO check if the child really took them - look on the floor and around about. It may be a false alarm.
  
• DO get advice from your pharmacist, doctor or Accident and Emergency Department at St Bernard's hospital.
  
• DON'T give the child salt and water to make them sick - this is more harmful than many tablets or medicines.
  For household products:
  
• DO find the packet or bottle and take it with you to the hospital.
  
• DO get advice from your pharmacist, doctor or Accident and Emergency Department at St Bernard's hospital.
  
• DON'T give the child anything to drink - just wet the lips if they are burning.
  
• DON'T try to make the child sick - their vomit will cause damage if it goes into their lungs