Cosmetics a top poisoner of kids under 5

NEW YORK , March 18 (UPI) -- Personal care products like cosmetics, hand soap and shampoo are some of the top poisons of children under age 5, a New York report said.

The New York City health department report said the city's Poison Control Center received nearly 70,000 calls in 2007, with 35 percent of the calls for children under the age of 5.

Ninety percent of the poisonings take place at home with cosmetics, hand soap and shampoo topping the list of poisoners for children resulting in 2,228 calls.

Household cleaners like bleach -- which can be deadly -- came in second with 1,759 calls and swallowing "foreign bodies" -- like the silica packets tucked into products like shoes -- was third with 1,601 calls.

Other poisoners of children were topical diaper rash cream and petroleum jelly, over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, pesticides and rodenticides, vitamins; cough syrup and cold medicine, arts and crafts supplies such as crayons and glue, and liquid prescription medication such as antibiotics.

"Common household products can be dangerous to children," Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, health commissioner for New York City, said in a statement. "Make sure you keep cleaners, medicines, and cosmetics out of the reach of children and locked in cabinets, whenever possible."