Accidental or Unintentional Poisoning
Accidental or Unintentional Poisoning
Accidental or Unintentional Poisoning
March 20-26 2011 was Poison Prevention Week. Read this post to become more aware of the poisoning problem and what steps you should take to help reduce poisoning risk in your home. The definition of a poison is any substance, including medications that is harmful to your body if too much is eaten, inhaled, injected, or absorbed through the skin. When no harm is meant to be caused this is called unintentional or accidental poisoning. The misuse of medicines, cosmetics, household products, cleansers, pesticides and insecticides all can be poisonous.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 82 people die every day as a result of unintentional or accidental poisoning. Another 2,000 are treated daily in emergency rooms. Accidental or unintentional poisoning may be prevented by being aware of potential poisoning hazards.
Below are some tips that might help keep you and your loved ones safe from unintentional or accidental poisoning:
Place the National Poison Control number near every home telephone and save it on your cell phone 1-800-222-1222 The line is open 24 hours 7 days a week
If you call the poison control center or a doctor in a poisoning emergency have the poison's original container and the label with you.
Follow directions on the label when you give or take any medications.
Read all warning labels and adhere to warnings!
When taking medications at night, turn on a light and check to see if you have the correct amount of the right medicine
Check with your doctor to avoid drug interactions if you are taking more than one prescription medicine at a time
Keep all medications in their original bottles or containers
Never share or sell your prescription medications
Keep all prescription and non prescription medicines in a safe place that can only be reached by people who give or take them. (Keep out of the reach of Children)
Store all medicines and household products out of sight in a childproof cabinet where a child cannot reach them.
Do not put your next dose of medication on the counter or table where children can reach them.
Don't become distracted while taking medicine.
Check expiration dates on unused prescription and over the counter medications and safety dispose of those that are past their expiration date.
Secure child safety caps and immediately put medications and household products away when done with them.
If guests are in your home, make sure they store their medications where children cannot find them.
Do not store cleaning items and foods together.
Do not call medicine "candy" or any other name that would be attractive to children
Identify any poisonous plants you may have in your home or yard and keep them out of the reach of children
Pets can be accidentally poisoned as well. Be mindful of what you feed your pets. Chocolate for example can poison and kill a dog. Don't spray or store cleaning or pesticide products near pet food or water dishes and immediately clean up spills and leaks of all such products
If a poisoning does occur:
Remain Calm and call 911 if the victim has collapsed or is not breathing. If the victim is awake and alert call the poison control center 1-800-222-1222 The following information will be helpful and might be asked for: The victims age and approximate weight, the time of poison exposure, the address where the poisoning happened, and the container or bottle of the poison if available. Stay on the phone and follow the instructions from the emergency operator or poison control center.
For more information about posioning contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Poisoning/index.html
For Safety and Wellness Products log onto http://www.BeSafePlus.com
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