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National Poison Prevention Week … poisonings span a lifetime

By Staff Sgt. Michelle Humann, 5th Bomb Wing Safety / Published March 16, 2010

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MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- National Poison Prevention Week is observed this week. This years theme is "Poisonings Span a Lifetime." According to the Poison Prevention Week Council, National Poison Prevention Week is a good time to "highlight the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them." It is a good time to think about how to protect your children from poisoning, a common cause of preventable injury to a child. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, things that one can do to decrease the chance of children being poisoned include:

* Keep all chemicals and medicines locked up and out of sight.
* Use child-resistant packaging properly by closing the container securely after each use or choosing child-resistant blister cards, which do not need to be re-secured.
* Call 1 (800) 222-1222 immediately in case of poisoning.
* Keep in mind that the American Academy of Pediatrics no longer recommends families keep a bottle of ipecac syrup at home to induce vomiting.
* When products are in use, never let young children out of sight, even if they must be taken along when answering the phone or doorbell.
* Keep items in original containers.
* Leave the original labels on all products, and read the label before using.
* Do not put decorative lamps and candles that contain lamp oil where children can reach them. * Always leave the light on when giving or taking medicine. Check the dosage every time.
* Avoid taking medicine in front of children. Refer to medicine as "medicine," not "candy."
* Clean out the medicine cabinet periodically and safely dispose of unneeded and outdated medicines.

Many parents are careful about childproofing the inside of their home, but what about the garage or storage shed? Many things in the garage, such as: charcoal lighter, paint thinner and remover, gasoline, antifreeze and turpentine, are very poisonous and can cause serious injury or death to children. It is important to keep these things secure and out of reach of children. Also be sure to store them in their original containers.

Other household products that can injure children if ingested, include 'moth balls, furniture polish, drain cleaners, weed killers, insect or rat poisons, lye, paint thinners and dishwasher detergents.

Even if one doesn't have young children living in the home, if there is any chance that young children may visit or spend time in the home, then it would be a good idea to keep the home childproofed. Also make sure any home visited with the children is child and poison proofed.
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