Young children have a natural curiosity, and it isn’t unusual for them to explore by putting things into their mouths or touching items that should be off-limits. It is up to adults to ensure that children do not have access to items that are poisonous—and this includes daycare workers.
If your child has been exposed to something poisonous at daycare because they were not supervised properly, you might be able to recover damages for their injuries, as well as pain and suffering. We invite you to contact The Button Law Firm to discuss the details of your case. Our daycare injury attorneys are passionate about protecting the safety and welfare of children throughout Texas.
Types of Poisonous Items Found at Daycare Centers
Many common household products can be dangerous for children, including:
- Household cleaners
- Laundry detergent pods
- Medications (prescription and over-the-counter drugs)
- Cosmetics
- Topical products such as diaper cream
- Disinfecting wipes
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Many of these items are safe for adults, but children are more sensitive to them. Children can be poisoned from swallowing or inhaling, or if a toxic chemical is splashed onto their skin. If children touch a treated surface and then rub their eyes, this too can cause poisoning.
When Children Ingest or Are Exposed to Poisonous Substances
Symptoms of poisoning can include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Falling down
- Abdominal pain
- Anaphylactic shock
Depending on the amount of poison to which the child was exposed, there can be long-term effects of poisoning, including damage to the brain and the central nervous system. This is why medical treatment is so crucial.
Daycare workers should take the following steps if they know or suspect that a child was accidentally exposed to a poison, even if the child is not exhibiting any symptoms of poisoning:
- If the child is lethargic, having trouble breathing, or experiencing seizures, call 911 immediately.
- If the child is awake and stable, the best course of action is to call the National Capital Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. Giving a child something to make them vomit can backfire and cause more harm.
- Provide as many details as possible about the type of substance the child ingested. If poison control recommends a trip to the hospital, bring the substance container along.
How Daycare Centers Should Keep Children Safe from Poisoning Incidents
Daycare centers should take the following precautions to help keep kids safe from accidental poisoning:
- Keep medicines and other dangerous products, including cleaning solutions, detergent pods, and hand sanitizer, locked up and away from children’s curious eyes. Items should remain in their original packaging.
- Make sure the National Capital Poison Control Center number—1-800-222-1222—is displayed near every phone at the center and programmed into each employee’s cell phone.
- Be sure to read labels when giving medications to children and follow proper dosing instructions. Put medication away immediately after use.
- Get rid of items that are not needed, including unused or expired medications and vitamins. Most communities sponsor take-back programs where you can safely dispose of unused medications.
- Some cleaning products, like bleach and ammonia, can create highly toxic fumes when combined. Daycare staff should know never to mix cleaning chemicals.
- Strict protocols should be in place to ensure dangerous items are always put back in their place immediately after use.
- Do not leave children unsupervised.
What to Do If Your Child Is Exposed to Poison at Daycare
If your child was negligently poisoned while in the care of a daycare center, you might be entitled to damages. Having a lawyer is the best way to help prove your daycare negligence case. Call The Button Law Firm at (214)699-4409, so we can conduct a thorough investigation to help you find out what happened and get your child the recovery they deserve.
|
Related Links: |
.png)
.png)