Tyler Homeschool

It is very important as a mother to know what is dangerous to your child. The Texas Poison Center Network has been dedicated to providing safety information for years. Their phones are staffed by specially trained nurses and pharmacists. Their staff are trained in emergency cases. In fact their nurses all worked in an emergency room. You can have peace of mind when calling the Texas Poison Center Network because they are professionals and have a very detailed computer listing of medication (Micromedex), chemicals, plants, bugs, etc. and can give you very critical advice that can save your childs life or can save you a trip to the hospital. They can tell you what chemicals can harm your child, what to do if your child comes in contact with poisonous things, and what you should do to provide immediate care for your child. It is very important to program their number in your phone now for when you might need it (1-800-222-1222).

The Texas Poison Center Network not only provide information about poisons but also what medications you should give your child if he or she is sick. Some moms have experienced that they are more knowledgeable than their child’s pediatrician staff and quicker to answer their questions.  They can also give you information about your pet getting in contact with poisons.

In addition to putting their number in your phone, look at their website http://www.poisoncontrol.org/prevention.html and find out how to safety proof your home. It is very important to install a carbon monoxide detector in your home for carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of deaths caused by poisons. It is also good to be sure all house plants are non toxic to your child. Make sure all medication is locked up and out of reach of your child. Be sure you have child locks on all cleaning chemical cabnets. Don’t just use any child lock but be sure its not a lock that your child could figure out how to open. Your child watches how you open locks and could figure it out. Be aware of everything in your house that can be a danger to your child. Did you know that baby oil can kill your child if swallowed down the wrong tube? (baby oil in a childs lung can kill him.) That is one thing that I learned from the Texas Poison Center. I also learned that I have two plants in my yard, oleander and lily of the valley, that can affect the heart if ingested. In fact here is a picture of my son in lilies of the valley flowers that I took last year. Little did I know how dangerous these little flowers were. I just thought they would make a pretty picture.

Snakes and bugs

Most people are very afraid of snakes but in fact more people die from insect bites than snake bites. There are a few dangerous snakes in Texas to look out for. They are rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, and coral snakes.

For snake bites:

• Do not use ice or a tourniquet
• Call the Poison Center for instructions
• Go to the ER

What to do when you or your child is bit or stung by an insect or spider:

• Remove stinger if it is possible
• Wash the area with soap and water
• If itching or irritation develops call the Poison Center for instructions
• If breathing problems, wheezing or swelling around lips or tongue develop call 911

There are over 20,000 different species of spiders but almost all of them cannot hurt humans. The two spiders that are the most dangerous are brown recluse and black widow.  Orb spiders, like the one pictured here, are quite harmless to humans and kill lots of insects.

If you are a mother of a little one it is so important to be aware of dangers and safety precautions in and out of your home. Even if you are a grandparent, relative, or babysitter of a little child, it is important to keep your house as safe a place as a parent would. Listen to Mike Yudizky from the Texas Poison Center Network in this audio to hear more important information regarding poisons and safety. Mike Yudizkyis a public educator from Texas Poison Control Network and gives about 400 speeches a year around the state. He is a former teacher and has a teahing degree. He was also a firefighter and paramedic for the Dallas Fire Department for 27 years and received the “Paramedic of the year” award. Please listen to what he says and visit the Texas Poison Center Network website.

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