Recognizing and handling poisons correctly
The main focus of Poison Prevention Week is on children.
Every day, parents, grandparents, others care for children who develop new skills seemingly overnight. We celebrate when they learn to crawl, walk, and climb, and their budding curiosity and desire to explore.
According to the Poison Prevention Week Council, one way kids explore is by picking things up and putting them into their mouths. Pills look like candy, cleaning products and automotive fluids look like soft drinks, and wild mushrooms look like food.
The most important people in child poisoning prevention are the adults who care for kids and create a safe environment.
Some important safety rules:
* Store products in their original containers.
* Lock medicines, vitamin pills, household products, yard chemicals, and other potential poisons out of sight and out of the reach of children.
Poison prevention at work
In the workplace there are any number of hazardous products and chemicals in use. They can be accidentally ingested, or inhaled, or they can be absorbed through the skin.
If a poison emergency occurs, remain calm. Call 911 if the victim has collapsed or is not breathing. If the victim is alert, call Poison Control at (800) 222-1222.
Have the following information available: the person's age and weight, the container of the poisonous product, the time that exposure occurred, your name and phone number.
Follow the instructions given to you by 911 or the Poison Control Center.
