Exposure To Rat Poison

Many of us have pest control services come to our homes on a regular schedule. Are you aware of where those bait traps are being placed and whether your children are being exposed to rat poison? Let's consider what it is and how to protect ourselves and the small children in our home.

Rat poison can be passed from hand to mouth and from hand to food. If your child gets ahold of the rat poison in your home he or she may pass it on to you and you to the food the family eats.

How does rat poison work?

The melamine scare has me thinking more and more about food safety which has lead me to review the history of DDT, PCB's and other poisons we come into contact with through the food chain.

Rat poison is a rodenticide, which is a category of pest control chemicals used to kill rodents. There are first and second generation chemicals which can be used to step up the killing power when rodents become resistant to first generation chemicals.

The way most chemical rat poison works is by making the rat's blood makeup change so that it doesn't coagulate. In addition large doses can cause damage to tiny blood vessels causing those vessels to leak. If the blood won't clot and the blood vessels leak then the rats die through internal bleeding. If the bodily functions for blood coagulation won't stop bleeding then the rat dies in a few days from mostly internal bleeding. These chemicals make blood coagulation not work by interfering with the Vitamin K coagulating process.

How do I know if my pet or child has eaten rat poison?

Rat poisons can be ingested by house pets and children. If hands aren't washed they can come into contact with food through the preparation process. Washing your hands thoroughly is not just a good idea it's mandatory for the safety of your family.

What is being done to make rat poison safer to have in your home?

There are restrictions in place on rat poisons in an attempt to reduce exposure incidents in children. Only farmers, livestock owners and certified rodent control employees are allowed to purchase rat poison in bulk. Bags larger than 8 pounds are unavailable to buy in hardware and home-improvement stores.

Children who come into contact with highly toxic pellets can experience terrible symptoms from digesting them. They include internal bleeding, nosebleeds, hair loss and extensive bruising.

The restrictions placed on rat poisons not only keep the products out of children's hands, but also reduces the ecological and wildlife risks associated with exposure to rat poison.

Ten Tips to Protecting your Children from being poisoned

1. Always store pesticides and other household chemicals, including chlorine bleach, out of children's reach – preferably in a locked cabinet.
2. Read the Label FIRST! Pesticide products, household cleaning products, and pet products can be dangerous or ineffective if too much or too little is used.
3. Before applying pesticides or other household chemicals, remove children and their toys, as well as pets, from the area. Keep children and pets away until the pesticide has dried or as long as is recommended on the label.
4. If your use of a pesticide or other household chemical is interrupted (perhaps by a phone call), properly reclose the container and remove it from children's reach. Always use household products in child-resistant packaging.
5. Never transfer pesticides to other containers that children may associate with food or drink(like soda bottles), and never place rodent or insect baits where small children can get to them.
6. When applying insect repellents to children, read all directions first; do not apply over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin; do not apply to eyes, mouth, hands, or directly on the face; and use just enough to cover exposed skin or clothing, but do not use under clothing.
7. Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. If you plan to remodel or renovate, get your home tested. Don't try to remove lead paint yourself.
8. Ask about lead when buying or renting a home. Sellers and landlords must disclose known lead hazards in houses or apartments built before 1978.
9. Get your child tested for lead. There are no visible symptoms of lead poisoning, and children may suffer behaviour or learning problems as a result of exposure to lead hazards.
10. Wash children's hands, toys, and bottles often. Regularly clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces to reduce possible exposure to lead and pesticide residues.