Who gets poisoned?
More than 50% of reported poisonings involve children six and younger. Poisoning is the fifth leading cause of "accidental" death in children under the age of six and is one of the most common reasons children are seen in emergency rooms. Poisonings are most common in children ages one and two.

Few people realize that adults get poisoned too. Over 30% of the calls the Poison Center receives involve adults. Adult poisonings result in more deaths and serious injuries than any other age group.

	Pets also get poisoned. Like children, dogs and cats are curious. They have the natural instinct to lick and chew. Over 6% of the calls to the Poison Center are about animals, including ducks, rabbits, horses, tarantulas and even fish. The same substances people are poisoned by can poison pets.

Why do people get poisoned?
There are a number of factors that place children at greatest risk of unintentional poisoning. These factors include:

• A child's curious nature:
  Children are curious. They love to explore. This is the way they learn. Children place everything they find into their mouths - even if it does not taste good! Young children cannot tell the difference between items safe and unsafe to eat and drink. The colorful bottles, labels and liquids are very inviting to the curious child. Medicines are often mistaken for candy and household chemicals can easily be mistaken for things that are good to drink.
  
• A child's desire to mimic adult behavior:
  Children often mimic the behavior of adults and siblings. If for example, a child sees a parent taking medicine, he or she may be tempted to take some.
  
• Lack of "supervision" of children:
  Children who are left alone, even for a few moments, are at greatest risk of poisoning. Studies suggest that poisonings are frequent during meal times, when caretakers are busy preparing meals and children are hungry.
  
• Improper storage of potential poisons:
  Poisons left within the reach and sight of children place them at risk of poisoning. Poisons must be stored in locked cabinets out of the reach and sight of children. Poisons that are improperly stored are often mistaken by children for something good to eat or drink. For example, household cleaners are mistaken for juices and medicine is mistaken for candy. Removing a potential poison from its original container can have deadly consequences! Often poisons are placed in a container associated with drinking, such as a soda bottle or milk jug. This practice can fool children and even adults!
  
• Adults are also at risk of poisoning.
  Failing to read and follow directions for using household chemicals and medicine are common reasons adults are poisoned. Like children, adults are also easily fooled to think a poison is something good to eat or drink.