|
|
Prevent Poisoning and Death from Iron Containing MedicineCPSC Document #5051 |
SourceUnited States Consumer Product Safety CommissionForumsHealth, Safety, Nutrition and KidsRelated ArticlesPreventing Childhood PoisoningPreschoolers: Safety CPSC Hotline Information |
 |
|
|
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) warns that iron medications (sometimes
identified as ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, or
ferrous fumarate) can be deadly to a young child.
Many adults may not realize the hazard of iron
preparations. The Commission recommends that
parents keep medicine with iron out of the reach of
young children. Iron is available in combination with vitamins or alone. According to poison control center data, iron supplements are responsible for 30 percent of pediatric poisoning deaths from medications. A small number of iron pills consumed by a child can cause death. Poisonings happen when children swallow their parents' iron pills. CPSC recommends that obstetricians and gynecologists tell their maternity patients that prenatal medicine with iron is poisonous to children. CPSC requires that iron-containing medicines and vitamins with iron be packaged in child-resistant closures. Parents should always properly resecure safety closures. In addition, parents should keep medicines with iron out of the reach of children and should properly discard iron pills after use so children cannot reach them. Medicines should be discarded by flushing down the toilet, not in a wastebasket where children can find them.  Always use child-resistant closures and keep iron-containing medicine out of the reach of children. |