ingested, absorbed through the skin or inhaled. In addition, some
substances may also result in tissue damage as the toxic ingredient
is being absorbed or ingested.
Pets are typically exposed by drinking out of an open container or
bucket, licking up or ingesting something off of the floor, or by
ingesting contaminated food or water. They can also be exposed by
chewing on a bottle or package that then breaks open or by licking
off a substance that spilled onto its paws or fur from an open
container.
Two of the most common household products involving animal
fatalities are antifreeze and Tylenol (acetaminophen). Antifreeze
contains ethylene glycol and has a sweet taste that animals find
attractive. Just a few teaspoons licked up off of the garage floor from
a spilled bottle or leaky car radiator can cause irreversible kidney
damage and death. Acetaminophen is highly toxic to cats and just
one tablet dropped on the floor or left on the counter could cause a
fatal poisoning if ingested.
Children are exposed in similar ways as they explore their
surroundings by grabbing and putting things into their mouths. The
child may splash, spill or spray a liquid onto him /herself or into its
eyes while playing with an open or loosely closed container or
aerosol can. Or the child may ingest the product directly from a
bottle or package or lick a harmful substance off of its fingers.
Since pets and children cannot read warning labels and have no
understanding that something can be harmful to them, it is up to the
pet owner and the parent to prevent them from having access to and
coming in contact with these hazardous products. That
unfortunately, as the EPA survey showed, is the weakest link in
preventing poisonings.
Why? Most of the time, the parent or pet owner just doesn’t realize
how harmful a substance is and fails to take the proper precautions,
or they may believe that their child or pet would never do anything
wrong after having been told "don’t touch". Or they may put too
much trust in a simple cabinet lock or childproof cap. Sometimes
the parent or pet owner may leave a harmful substance unattended
when they become distracted and walk away to attend to some other
chore, or put off the cleanup and disposal until later.
What can parents and pet owners do to help prevent accidental
poisonings of their children and pets?
First of all, do an inventory of every room in the house and identify
what products are kept where and take these steps to reduce the
chance of an accidental poisoning.
Read all labels. Identify the highly toxic products.
Store all products labeled "keep out the reach of children" and
especially those labeled "warning" or "danger-poison" in a securely
locked cabinet at least 4 feet off of the ground or more preferable in a
locked cabinet outside of the house. (Ask yourself if you would feel
comfortable storing a loaded handgun there.)
Ensure that the places that your child or pet stays at (neighbor or
relative’s house, home day care, etc.) has been childproofed as
poisonings often occur in someone else’s home.
Realize that cats can easily get onto high shelves and knock off
bottles or be exposed to harmful items such as potpourri simmer
pots.
Use the products correctly. Ensure adequate ventilation if
recommended on warning label.
Do not mix chemicals as toxic fumes may be given off or an
explosive reaction may occur.
Wear protective glasses and gloves if indicated.
Securely close all containers and clean up any spills immediately.
Discard buckets of solution as soon as your finished.
Never store hazardous products in food or beverage containers.
Consider switching to safer products if they are available for the task
at hand.
What should you do if your child or pet is poisoned?
First of all, do not panic, you will not be able to think clearly or act
properly.
Keep the number of your Poison Control Center, veterinarian and
after-hours emergency center handy. (The ASPCA Animal Poison
Control Center phone number is 1-888-426-4435, $45 consultation fee)
If the child or pet appears to be seriously injured, burned, seizuring
or comatose call 911 immediately (for a child) or your veterinarian /
animal emergency center (for a pet)
Try to identify the poison. If you find the bottle or package follow
the emergency information listed on the label.
In case of skin or eye contact, flush with plenty of water
In case of ingestion DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING until the
substance is identified and you are instructed to do so by the
package label or a poison control center, doctor, or veterinarian. ( If
the substance is a corrosive or petroleum distillate inducing
vomiting will worsen the injury)
Bring the bottle or package with you to the hospital / veterinary
office.
