U. S. Food and Drug Administration
January 1997

Protect Children from Iron Poisoning

An overdose of iron pills can seriously hurt or even kill children who accidentally swallow them. In fact, iron is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in children under 6, despite child-resistant packaging. Since 1986, over 110,000 such incidents have been reported, including 33 deaths.

To protect children:

Close any container of iron pills tightly as soon as you're finished using it. And keep the pills in their original container.
Put the container away immediately in a place that children can't reach.
Keep iron tablets, as well as all medicines, out of reach--and out of sight--of children.

More Information

Preventing Iron Poisoning in Children HTML version of a 2-page FDA backgrounder published in January 1997 describing FDA's efforts to protect children from accidental iron poisoning.
Press Release: "Warnings Required on Iron-Containing Drugs and Supplements" (Jan. 15, 1997)
Preventive Measures Proposed for Childhood Iron Poisoning
HTML version of a 1-page article about FDA's proposed regulations to require warnings on products containing iron. The article originally appeared in the Updates section of the December 1994 FDA Consumer magazine.

Brochure

Order "Protect Your Child from Iron Poisoning," a 6-panel large-type brochure from:
Food and Drug Administration (HFI-41)
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
Ask for DHHS Publication No. (FDA) 95-1225

Free Color Poster

Order the full-size (22 x 17 inch) version of the color poster shown at the top of the page from the same address as above. Ask for DHHS Publication No. (FDA) 95-1221P for the poster in English, or DHHS Publication No. (FDA) 96-1221SP for the Spanish version.

This is a mirror of the page at http://www.fda.gov/opacom/campaigns/3iron.html

Home | Women's Health

U. S. Food and Drug Administration January 1997

Protect Children from Iron Poisoning

More Information

Brochure

Free Color Poster

U. S. Food and Drug Administration
January 1997