CALVIN G. LOWE, MD, FAAP: Yeah, one of the things is that the kitchen is the most dangerous part of the house because a lot of things are accessible. The main thing you want to do is be sure to childproof your kitchen, meaning putting latches on the cabinet doors and drawers and so forth. And try to keep things out of their reach. Put things up above in the cabinets that are locked. Using child restraint proof caps, although sometimes children are very curious. They can still open them. But the main thing is to just keep them out of their range.
BONNIE BOSWELL: Well sometimes children have to take medicine. What should you do in that case? Especially if you're dealing with a sitter or something?
CALVIN G. LOWE, MD, FAAP: That's right. Just make sure you read the label that your doctor has put, the actual directions, to make sure that you're giving them the correct dose. A lot of times people have come into my emergency department where the baby-sitter or caretaker has given the wrong dose, either an overdose or an underdose, which could be equally as dangerous.
BONNIE BOSWELL: Scary, too. And should there be an emergency number nearby, say either in the bathroom or in the kitchen?
CALVIN G. LOWE, MD, FAAP: Absolutely. Everyone should know 911. But the other thing is also to have the poison control center at your availability because minutes do count. So the faster you can get some type of medical attention or some type of consultation, the better.
BONNIE BOSWELL: We're talking about some ways that parents can prevent injuries and intervene right away in case of poisoning or something like that. What about 911 and also the whole business of oxygen—you were talking about oxygen?
