But even pills people might think are safe can be an issue if the dose is large enough.
"Everything can be a poison depending on the dose," said Lowry. People might not be concerned about leaving vitamins accessible, but iron can be extremely toxic, she noted.
Soloway said that personal care products also prompt a lot of calls to poison control centers. "The ones we worry about are those with alcohol in them," she said. "Children can get alcohol poisoning from mouthwash. Children see adults putting it in their mouths, so why wouldn't they? But, they don't get the swish-and-spit part."
Then there are pesticides, which can be dangerous if they're swallowed, breathed in or gotten on the skin. "It's so important to understand that these products are intended to kill an organism," Soloway noted.
Products called hydrocarbons, such as gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid and lamp oil, are also a concern. Though they generally pass through the digestive system without causing too much damage, they can get into the lungs, causing a serious condition called aspiration pneumonia, if a child swallows one of the products and then vomits it up.
Immediate harm can come from products that can cause chemical burns on contact, including drain openers, toilet bowl cleaners and dishwasher detergent.
But preventing poisonings at home really boils down to common sense, Lowry said. Store cleaning products and other chemicals in their original containers and store them on a high shelf. The same goes for medications -- or, even better, keep them in a locked box. Replace childproof caps tightly after you use a medication.
If you have to use a pesticide or a cleaning product, use them in well-ventilated areas and follow the la
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