Outside poisons often are overlooked

Each year poison control centers receive more than 2 million calls about accidental poisoning, and more than 75 percent of these calls involve children less than 5 years of age. While parents often go to great lengths to keep their children safe from harmful products around the house, they often forget about what is outside.

Poisonous plants

There are more than 700 poisonous plants in the United Sates, and plants are the second leading cause of poisonings in children. Although there rarely are any significant adverse effects from ingesting plant materials, it is still important your child avoid poisonous plants. Make sure to supervise your child's outdoor activities and teach him or her not to eat anything without asking you first. Many plants, such as wild mushrooms and berries might look edible, yet they are poisonous. Even pretty flowers, such as tulips, azaleas and daffodils, are toxic.

Other outdoor plants, including poison ivy, oak and sumac cause harm through contact with skin and result in an allergic reaction in nearly 85 percent of the population. The reaction usually is contact dermatitis, characterized by a rash, bumps and blisters that itch.

Teach your child to recognize and avoid these plants. Make sure he or she wears long pants and long sleeves when they have been spotted in the area. Wash your child's hands, clothes and shoes after he or she has been outside and don't allow contact with a pet that might have brushed against these plants.

Dangerous chemicals

The products you use outside your home should be treated the same as the ones you use inside. Pesticides, gasoline, paint thinner, antifreeze, lighter fluid and other dangerous chemicals always should be stored away from your child's reach, in a locked cabinet or garden shed. Keep them in their original containers and do not remove the labels. Buy products with child-resistant caps and use them properly by closing the containers tightly after use. However, do not depend solely on child-resistant caps as many children are able to open them.

When applying pesticides, read the label first and follow the directions exactly. 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 on the label. Never use pesticides in areas where food is being served or prepared. Exterior pesticides should not be used inside the home and veterinary pesticide products never should be used on a child.

Use insect repellent containing DEET sparingly. DEET repellants are safest when applied to clothing instead of the directly to the skin.

If your use of a pesticide is interrupted, even for a momentary phone call, properly re-close the package and leave the container out of the reach of children while you are gone. Never place rodent or insect baits or bug spray when your child can get to them.

If your child comes in contact with a poison, call the Wisconsin Poison Center at (800) 222-1222. Post this number near every phone and make sure all your child's caregivers have it, too.