A poison is anything that a child ingests that can harm or shut down his system, such as household cleaners with ammonia or bleach, liquids that go into cars (such as antifreeze and windshield washer fluid), as well as some plants and medicines. Poisons hurt the body very quickly and must be handled fast. The poison control number (1-800-222-1222) should be posted on your refrigerator and by the phone, as well as programmed into your cell phone.

If your child swallows a poison, call the poison control center or 911 and tell them exactly what your child ate or drank. If you can, read the information on the bottle to find out what you should do, but never try to bring the poison up by inducing vomiting unless you are specifically instructed to do so. Some poisons can do further damage to the child's throat when regurgitated. Instead, give your child milk (which can neutralize the poison) or water, both of which will help to “flush” the body of the poison.

If your child is unconscious, follow the resuscitation instructions on pages 177–178 while someone calls for help.

Medicine

If your child swallows or chews medicine, whether it's meant for adults or children, you'll need to call the poison control center or 911 right away. Although medicine isn't a poison, a one-year-old's body cannot tolerate medicines that aren't meant for his body or too much of any medicine.

You should know your child's height and weight (this can affect how much the medicine will affect them) so that you can quickly relay this information to the poison control representative or police dispatcher. Keep the bottle with information about the medicine near you and read what it says to the expert, who can then look up the safest and most effective remedy.

Vitamin supplements, and especially iron pills, can be dangerous to children. Keep all medicines and supplements in a cabinet that is locked and out of reach of your child (remember that they will try to climb and reach higher shelves and medicine cabinets).

Cleaning Products

Most people keep cleaning supplies at floor level, such as under the kitchen sink or in a bucket or basket on a closet floor. With their bright colors and shiny surfaces, children love to touch the boxes, bottles, and jars that hold cleaning products. Also, because they know they aren't supposed to touch these things (and even at the age of one, they've already been told to stay away from them), they are even more intrigued by these things.

It is safer for your child — and much less stressful for you — if you simply make sure cleaning products are kept out of your one-year-old's reach. In fact, when it comes to anything that can hurt your child, out of sight, out of mind — if she can't see it, she won't want to touch or drink it.