Poison Prevention: Have you checked your home?
Craig Acord

Everyone should double-check for these poison prevention steps this week, says the CPSC:

• Use child-resistant packaging. Be sure to close containers securely after every use.
• Remember that "child-resistant" doesn't mean "child-proof." All chemicals and medicines should be stored out of children's sight and reach.
• Keep ipecac syrup on hand, but don't use it unless poison control tells you to.
• When you're using poisonous chemicals or medicines, don't let your children out of your sight, even for a second. If you have to answer the door or phone, take your children with you.
• Keep all chemicals and medicines in their original containers and leave the labels on. Read the label before you use a product.
• Lamps and candles that use lamp oil should be kept out of children's reach. Lamp oil can be highly toxic.
• Avoid taking or giving medicine in the dark. Check the dosage every time.
• Try not to take medicine in front of children, and never call medicine "candy".
• Clean out your medicine cabinet regularly. Throw away everything you don't use and everything that's expired.

Every year, poisonings kill about 30 children and poison control centers get more than 1 million calls.