URMC / Encyclopedia / Content Search Encyclopedia What Do You Know About Poison Prevention? Poisons can be solids, liquids, sprays, or gases. They can be something a person eats, breathes, gets in the eyes, or on the skin. Learn more about accidental poisonings by taking this quiz. 1. Which of these toxic substances is more likely to cause sickness in babies and elderly adults? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Carbon monoxide is also more likely to cause sickness in people who have long-term (chronic) health problems. Each year in the U.S., many people are treated in the emergency room, are put in the hospital, or die from carbon monoxide poisoning. A. LeadB. Carbon monoxideC. Bee venomD. BleachE. Turpentine 2. How can you reduce the risk that a child will be accidentally poisoned by medicine? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Childproof medicine bottle caps may not be childproof. They only make it harder for a child to open them. But with enough time, a child may still open a container with one of these caps. A. Never say that medicine is “candy”B. Keep medicines in their original containers and in locked cabinetsC. Make sure you put medicines away after using themD. All of the above 3. How can you reduce your risk for accidental poisoning with medicine? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is You should take your medicine with a light on to make sure you have the right medicine and the correct dose. Dispose of outdated medicines. The best way to dispose of most medicines is to take the medicine to a "take back" program. The program may be offered at your local law enforcement office, hospital, or pharmacy. Some medicines can be disposed of by putting them in the trash. A few should be flushed down the toilet. Check the patient information that came with the medicine to find out for sure. If you have questions about the medicines you take, talk with your healthcare provider. A. Always turn on the light when taking medicineB. Clean out your medicine cabinet regularlyC. Carefully read the labels on your medicineD. All of the above 4. If your child eats or drinks a toxic substance, what should you do? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is The toll-free number for the poison control center is 800-222-1222. If the child has collapsed or is not breathing, call 911. A. Call the poison control center right awayB. Try to get your child to throw up (vomit)C. Call your child's healthcare providerD. None of the above 5. What information should you have ready when you call a poison control center? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is You should be able to tell the center what was taken, what time it was taken, your child's weight and age, and your name and phone number. It's very helpful to have the container or bottle nearby. A. Time the poisoning occurredB. Age of your childC. Name of the product takenD. All of the above 6. How can you help prevent accidental poisoning by household products? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Other recommendations: Always store products out of your child's sight and reach. Keep household chemicals in their original containers. Don't put them in food containers. Carefully read and follow the directions and caution labels on products before using them. When spraying products, make sure the spray nozzle is directed away from your face and other people. If you are using a product around a child and need to leave the room, take the child with you. A. Never mix household chemical products togetherB. Open a window or turn on a fan when using a chemical productC. Never sniff containers to find out what's insideD. All of the above 7. How can you help prevent the accidental poisoning of a child outdoors? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is It's important to stay away from areas where pesticides are used. This is because these chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and may be toxic. Keep your children away from wild mushrooms, because some are poisonous. Pay attention not only to berries growing in the yard, but also the leaves of plants. Just because a wild animal eats a plant or berry doesn't mean it's safe for humans. A. Keep children away from areas recently sprayed with pesticidesB. Teach your children not to eat mushrooms that grow in the yardC. Teach your children not to eat berries that grow in the yardD. All of the above Your score was: Medical Reviewers: Fraser, Marianne, MSN, RN Novick, Tara BSN, MSN Sather, Rita RN