Poisonings

Poison can be defined as anything that enters your body and makes you sick.  Poisonings can happen to anybody at anytime and at any place.  All people are at risk of poisonings.  Some of the most common dangers by age group include:

Children- Children tend to put everything in their mouth.  It is one of the ways they explore their environment and the world around them.  Some contributing factors for children getting poisoned include:

  • Children can’t read the labels.
  • Children have a tendency to put things in their mouth and sometimes even in their ears or nose.
  • Children crawl and tend to play on the ground enabling them to find things which adults may not notice.
  • Children tend to imitate what they see adults do.
  • Children just don’t understand the consequences of eating or drinking poison

Some of the most common child poisonings include:

  • Medications
  • Rat and Ant Baits
  • Household Cleaners
  • Personal Care Products
  • Lotions and Creams

Adults- Most adults don’t think that poisonings can happen to them.  But in fact more adults die from poisonings than children.  Some contributing factors for adults getting poisoned include:

  • Adults suffering from depression or in times of crises may attempt intentionally harm themselves.
  • Adults may take uninformed advice from family or friends about medications and herbal products
  • Adults may be exposed to dangerous conditions or substances at work.
  • Adults may abuse alcohol, tobacco, medications or illegal drugs.
  • Adults may be too busy to pay attention to the details on a medication label.
  • Adults may be exposed to venomous critters and insects while working outdoors.

Some of the most common adult poisonings include:

  • Medication Errors or Abuse
  • Illegal Drug Abuse
  • Cleaning Product Misuse
  • Allergic Reactions
  • Animal and Insect Bites and Stings
  • Occupational Hazards
  • Suicides

Seniors- Our senior population is at risk for poisonings for various reasons.  They may be caring for grandchildren or may occasionally receive visits from family members with small children and their homes are not always poison safe as they may leave prescription and OTC medications on nightstands, countertops, or kitchen tables.  Some contributing factors for seniors getting poisoned include:

  • Seniors usually take multiple medications for chronic ailments on a daily basis.
  • Medications sometimes change color or shape when doses or manufacturers change.
  • Most seniors wear eyeglasses and sometimes have difficulty reading the labels.
  • Seniors may live alone and may have difficulty keeping warm in the winter.
  • Some seniors have medical conditions that cause forgetfulness or confusion.

Some of the most common poisonings in the senior population include:

  • Medication Errors
  • Medication Abuse and Misuse
  • Product Misuse
  • Carbon Monoxide Exposures
  • Animal and Insect Bites and Stings
  • Suicides