Babysitter's Guide Caring for children is a great job, but keeping children safe is a serious and important part of babysitting. Poisoning is one of the most common childhood injuries. Every 30 seconds a child is poisoned in the United States. Sixty percent (60%) of exposures reported to the Utah Poison Control Center occur in children under the age of six, children who are between the ages of eight month's and six years old are the most likely to be poisoned. Most of the time poisoning happens right at home. Poisons can look like things that are good to eat and drink. They can come in many colors and forms including solids, liquids, sprays or gases. The most common products involved in poisonings are drugs (prescription and non-prescription), cleaning agents, plants and cosmetics. Products may have first-aid instructions that are incorrect or out of date. Child proof caps are not really child proof, they are only child resistant. Young children are curious, they like to put things in their mouth, especially if they look colorful or smell nice. If Poisoning Occurs: 1. First, remain calm! 2. Call the poison control center (1-800-222-1222) or your doctor. Have the following information ready: How the child is feeling right now Age and weight of child Name or description of medicine or product The amount taken When it happened Your name and phone number 3. The poison control center or your doctor will tell you what to do next. 4. If the child is unconscious or is having difficulty breathing, call 9-1-1. Be on the safe side 1. Place this number near the telephone(s): 1-800-222-1222 2. Have the name and telephone number of a responsible adult nearby, in case of emergency. 3. Do not leave children alone or unattended. 4. Be aware of all potential hazards in the home. 5. Teach children to ask you first before putting anything in their mouth. 6. Never call medicine "candy". 7. Remember, small children can't read. Many poisons look like their favorite things. Common Look-A-Likes Apple juice Pine Cleaner Blue Fruit Drink Window Cleaner Lemonade Nail Polish Remover Breath Mints Moth Balls Candy tarts Children's vitamins Deadly in a dose Drugs and chemicals that could kill a toddler in small doses include: Strong pain medicine Some blood pressure and heart rhythm medicine Some Antidepressants Oral Diabetic medications Iron supplements Anti-freeze and windshield washing fluid
Home | Departments | County Info | Online Services | Residents | Visitors | Business Links | Contact Us | Quick Find | Search | Help Copyright © 2006 Utah County Government. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer/Terms of Use/Privacy/Security/Accessibility Statements..

	Health Promotions Home
	Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
	Injury Prevention/ Safety
	Poison Prevention
	Tobacco Prevention/ Control
	Health Observances
	Utah County Health Statistics
	Internship/ Volunteer Info
	News
	Calendar
	FAQ's
	Related Links
	Survey
	Contact Us
	About Us
	Comments