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Babysitting and Poison Safety

What You Need to Know about Babysitting and Poison Safety

You have been hired as a babysitter. Congratulations! Babysitting is a wonderful job and it requires a lot of preparation. It is important that the children you are babysitting are kept safe from injury, including poisonings.

Children between the ages of one and three years are at the greatest risk of being accidentally poisoned because toddlers are curious and are always on the move. They learn by tasting and touching. They are attracted to objects, medicines and liquids that look colorful and smell good. It is so important to watch the children closely at all times.

Here Are Some Tips to Help Keep the Children You Are Babysitting Poison-Safe:

  • Keep medicines up and out of sight and reach of children in a locked cabinet.
  • Make sure household cleaners are stored out of sight and reach of children…preferably locked in a cabinet.
  • Keep your backpack or purse out of sight and reach of children.
  • When giving a child medicine, follow the directions exactly as written. Make sure the medicine is closed properly after use. Return the medicine to a safe place immediately after use.
  • Find out the names of the plants in and around the house.
  • When playing with children outside, keep them away from plants, berries and mushrooms.
  • If a child gets into something that may be poisonous, call the poison center right away at 1-800-222-1222.

Types of Poisons Kids Get Into:

  • Cosmetics and Personal Care products (deodorant, eye drops)
  • Household Cleaners and Chemicals
  • Medicines
  • Vitamins
  • Foreign Objects(coins, button batteries, tiny toys)
  • Hand Sanitizers
  • Skin Creams
  • Plants
  • Pesticides and Yard Chemicals
  • Gasoline and Automobile Chemicals
  • Tiki Torch Oil

Don’t Be Afraid to Call the Poison Center.

THE NURSE OR PHARMACIST WILL HELP YOU AND PARENTS APPRECIATE A BABYSITTER WHO KNOWS WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY!

Quiz: What to Do

You’re helping your friend take care of his baby brother. You find the baby with a pill bottle, but the bottle is almost empty. What should you do? Fill in the blanks with the numbers to show the order of the steps you should take.

____A – IF THERE IS NO ADULT AROUND, CALL THE POISON CENTER AT 1-800-222-1222
____B – CHECK THE BABY’S MOUTH. GENTLY REMOVE ANY PILLS WITH YOUR FINGER.
____C – CALL THE PARENTS AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT HAPPEND, AND THAT YOU CALLED THE POISON HELP LINE.
____D – HELP PARENTS MAKE THE HOUSE SAFE SO THE BABY DOESN’T GET POISONED AGAIN.
____E – TAKE THE PILLS WITH YOU TO TELL AN ADULT.
____F – DO WHAT THE POISON CENTER TELLS YOU.
____G – TAKE THE PILLS AWAY FROM THE CHILD.

Answers: 1-G, 2-B, 3-E, 4-A, 5-F, 6-C, 7-D

Babysitting and Poison Safety PDF
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