Poison prevention: engineering in primary prevention

Abstract

Objectives: Over the past 50 years we have seen improvements in outcomes of poisonings in the United States. I intend to discuss the approaches to prevention.

Methods: I review various primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies in relationship to poison prevention.

Conclusions: We have made strong efforts in some ways, but our efforts in primary prevention have often been less than maximal. We propose requiring lockable medicine cabinets and lockable storage cabinets for dangerous substances.