Poison exposure is one of the leading causes of childhood injury in America, but you can protect your kids by simply taking a few precautions to prevent potential poisoning at home.

"It doesn't take long for children to climb onto counters, get into purses or find their way under sinks," says Marcia Abernathy, director of the Gene E. Huckstep Emergency Center/Level III Trauma Center at Saint Francis Medical Center. "Parents, grandparents and other caretakers should buy products with child-resistant caps and always close them tightly after each use. They should also install child-resistant latches on cabinets which contain harmful products and medications."

Other tips include keeping items in their original containers, reading labels before use, leaving the light on when giving or taking medicines, and not consuming medicine in front of children who tend to imitate grown-ups.

If your child swallows a household chemical or medicine, remain calm and call the Regional Poison Control Center at 800-366-8888. Have on hand the type and amount of substance ingested, the time it was ingested and your child's weight.

From Weekly Health Page: March 19, 2006