The prenatal and early well child visits are ideal times to remind families of the importance of proper storage of medication, as well as other potentially harmful substances. Multivitamin and mineral supplements, including prenatal vitamins, are particularly dangerous, since they may contain large amounts of iron. The best way to store medications is in a locked cabinet. Don't wait until your child is walking to make your home poison proof. Old medications should be flushed down the toilet.
Most containers have child-resistant caps and instructions on management of accidental ingestions.
Recommend that parents and careproviders check the garage, barn, and workshop areas as well as the house. These numbers should be kept near the phone. Make sure that baby-sitters and other family members know how to contact these places. Despite public educational efforts, many families still fail to understand the role of a poison control center. The use of a poison control center to triage patients can dramatically reduce unnecessary visits to emergency medical centers.