 Every year some 4 million poisonings occur in the United States. And more than half of these are by children, according to the Institute of Medicine. In response to these frightening numbers, many state and local officials have established information lines for people to learn more about poisons and ways to keep themselves and their families safe. Safety campaigns have also been launched to educate the public. California poison control offers the following 10 tips for families with small children, which are also available on a downloadable brochure on its Web site in both English and Spanish: - Keep the number 1-800-222-1222 on or near all phones. This is the National Capital Poison Center number, and is staffed 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
- Keep medicines and cleaning products out of reach of children and in locked cabinets.
- Always keep products in the containers they came in.
- Never keep cleaning products, gasoline, antifreeze, paint and paint thinners, or lighter fluid in something you would use for food or a beverage.
- Do not store food and household cleaners in the same cabinet.
- Never call medicine candy.
- Do not take medicine in front of children; they love to do what adults do.
- If you are in the middle of taking medicine or using a cleaning product and you need to answer the door or phone, take it with you.
- If you are a grandparent, be sure to keep your medicine and vitamins where your grandchildren can't get to them.
- Keep things like make-up perfume, cigarettes, alcohol and vitamins where children can't reach them.
For more information about California Poison Control go to www.calpoison.org. ‹‹Back to this week's Monday Morning Report |
