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POISON: PART TWO

© Kathleen Newton

Many common household products are poisonous if ingested. Many products can also irritate, or even chemically burn, the skin. In addition, some common products that we would typically view as relatively safe can be harmful, or even fatal, if used incorrectly.

COMMON HOUSEHOLD POISONS

Aerosols: Propellants used in aerosols, as well as the product itself.

Ammonia

Antiseptics: Such as Bactine, a spray used on cuts and scrapes.

Automotive: Oil, gas, antifreeze.

Bath products: shampoo, conditioner, bubble bath, etc.

Bleach

Batteries

Colognes and perfumes

Cosmetics

Dish liquids and detergents

Drain Cleaners: will also chemically burn skin.

Glue: epoxy or "super" type.

Furniture cleaners and polishes

Garden products: herbecides, pesticides, fertilizers.

Hair coloring and dyes, and home permanent solutions

Iodine

Insulation: also poses an inhalation risk, and will irritate skin.

Jewelry cleaners

Kerosene, lamp oil, lighter fluid

Laundry detergents, softeners and additives

Lye: also caustic to skin

Metal cleaners: silver, brass, gold

Moth balls

Nail polishes and removers

Oven cleaners

Paint

Peroxide

Petroleum products: ***including Vaseline***

Pine oil

Plant food

Rodent and bug poisons

Shaving products: creams, gels, aftershave lotions

Toilet cleaners

Turpentine

Window cleaners

COMMON "SAFE" PRODUCTS THAT CAN BE HARMFUL

*NOTE: the following products are safe if taken according to manufacturer's or doctor's directions. However, in large quantities, or an adult dose given to a child, harmful, even fatal effects can occur.

Vitamins

Nutrients

Iron supplements

Analgesics: aspirin, tylenol, ibuprofen, etc.

Creams and ointments for arthritis or muscles

Dietary supplements: diet pills, etc.

Herbal supplements: ginseng, ginko, etc.

Of course, ALL medications should be treated as potential poisons, even medications designed for children. At excessive doses, virtually all medications can be toxic to some degree.

If there is ANY possibility that somebody has swallowed any of these products, contact your local poison control center immediately. See previous article for a complete list of poison control centers in the United States (including AK and HI).

NEXT WEEK: Toxic and harmful houseplants, as well as a list of non-toxic houseplants.

The copyright of the article POISON: PART TWO in First Aid is owned by Kathleen Newton. Permission to republish POISON: PART TWO in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.