Did you know that poisoning is the number one cause of injury-related deaths in the United States? Poison prevention week runs the third week of March to raise awareness on this preventable cause of injury and death.
More than 90 percent of poisonings occur in the home—which is a great starting point to begin a prevention plan. Household items such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), perfume, nail polish, soaps, and cleaning products are poisonous products commonly found in our homes.
A few basic tips to avoid accidental injury:
- Never mix household cleaners together—this my create dangerous gases
- Do not share prescription medications
- Keep all household cleaners, detergent pods, medicines, and other potentially poisonous substances in locked cabinets or out of reach/sight of children
- Use safety latches on cabinets and child-resistant caps on bottles
- Avoid carrying medications in your purse where a child may find it
- Make sure your medications are properly labeled
- Avoid taking over-the-counter medications with your prescription medications until you have spoken with your pharmacist or doctor
- Get rid of unused or expired medications
- Protect children from poisonous household plants
What to Do if Exposed
In the event of an accidental exposure to a potentially poisonous product, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 to be connected to your local Poison Control Center. When calling, it is important to have the product container nearby. You may be asked what type of contact the person had with the product, what type of symptoms they are having, and what type of first aid has been tried.
The highest incidence of poisonings occur in one- and two-year olds. Furthermore, with our senior population living longer and experiencing memory issues, it is just as important for caregivers to follow these same tips to avoid accidental poisonings.
For more advice on how to keep you and your family safe everyday, please contact Severino Health Advisors!
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