Main Content

Prevent Accidental Poisoning

• Always store pesticides away from children's reach, in a locked cabinet or garden shed. Child-proof safety latches may also be installed on cabinets and can be purchased at your local hardware store.
• Read the label first and follow the directions to the letter, including all precautions and restrictions.
• Before applying pesticides (indoors or out), remove children and their toys as well as pets from the area and keep them away until the pesticide has dried or as long as is recommended by the label.
• If your use of a pesticide is interrupted (perhaps by a phone call), properly reclose the package and be sure to leave the container out of the reach of children while you are gone.
• Never transfer pesticides to other containers that children may associate with food or drink.
• Never place rodent or insect baits where small children can get to them.
• Use child-resistant packaging properly by closing the container tightly after use.
• Alert others to the potential hazard of pesticides, especially caregivers and grandparents.
• Teach children that "pesticides are poisons" - something they should not touch.
• Keep the emergency phone number for the Poison Control Center near your telephone: 1-800-222-1222.

In case of emergency

Try to determine what the child was exposed to and what part of the body was affected before you take action since taking the right action is as important as taking immediate action.

If the person is unconscious, having trouble breathing or having convulsions, give first aid immediately. Call 911.

If the person is awake, conscious, not having trouble breathing and not having convulsions, read the label for first aid instructions and contact your local Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222. In most cases, the pesticide product label provides you with a "Statement of Treatment" to follow in emergencies. The appropriate first aid treatment depends on the kind of poisoning that has occurred.