Lindsay Clukies, MD
Kids are curious and get into all kinds of things, and, unfortunately, that can be dangerous when it comes to household items. Studies show that more than 90 percent of poisonings in children happen at home. Lindsay Clukies, MD, a Washington University pediatrician at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, shares five important tips to poison-proof your home.
- Secure all medications out of the reach of kids. These include over-the-counter medicines, prescriptions, supplements and vitamins.
- Consider using a medication lockbox. These and other home safety devices are available at any of our Safety Stop offices.
- Talk to visitors, especially grandparents, about securing their medications upon arrival.
- Safety latches for cabinets are a good idea. Make sure the cabinets stay closed and locked so children cannot access cleaning products.
- Keep cleaning products and other harmful substances in their original packaging.
If you think a child has ingested a harmful substance, call Poison Control immediately. The phone number is 1-800-222-1222. It’s a good idea to keep this number in plain view, such as on the refrigerator.
