You Can Prevent Accidental Poisonings to Children
Posted by:
Angela Mickalide
at Mar 20, 2011 12:00 AM CDT
Keywords:
Education,
Parents,
Safety Tips
|
Send This
|
Article Link
| Comments(2)
As a diligent Safe Kids staff member and devoted mother, I never thought I would need to call our local poison control center. Yet when our daughter Anna was about three years old, I mistakenly gave her a fourth dose of acetaminophen to combat an illness. At that time, three generations lived in our home, and her Iranian grandmother had already administered the third dose that evening, unbeknownst to me. When I called the experts at the American Association Poison Control Center (AAPCC), I not only was reassured that the extra dose would do no harm but even received a follow-up call later that evening to check up on Anna! Where else in America do individuals receive free, private, and expert health care advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
In recognition of AAPCC’s National Poison Prevention Week (March 20-26), I want to publicly thank all the medical professionals who tirelessly toil in the 57 poison control centers across the U.S. as well as the safety experts. Safe Kids coalition members, health department staff, fire and life safety educators, among others are all helping to raise awareness of the dangers of unintentional poisonings (link to poison prevention.org).
This year marks the 50th anniversary of National Poison Prevention Week, which President John F. Kennedy signed into law in 1961. The week serves as an important reminder on how we can prevent poisonings among our precious yet vulnerable children. Young children by their very nature are curious, and they act fast. This explains why half of the 4.3 million calls to Poison Control Centers each year are for exposures and ingestions among kids ages 5 and under.
There are several steps you can take to prevent your child from an accidental poisoning. First, be sure to store all medications and household cleaners in a locked cabinet or keep these items out of your child’s sight and reach. Second, choose products with child-resistant packaging whenever possible but understand that no container is truly child-proof. Third, never refer to medicine as candy even if you are struggling to get your child to take it. This may only tempt him/her to ingest more when you are not around, particularly if it tastes or smells good. Fourth, read labels carefully and preferably with the lights on in the room to make sure you give your child the right dose. For additional ways you can keep your children safe from poisons, check out the Safe Kids website.
Unfortunately, despite your best efforts, your child may still come in contact with a poison at home. In fact, in the home is where 9 in 10 poison exposures happen! This is why it is essential that you post the toll-free nationwide Poison Control Center number (1-800-222-1222) in your home so that you or anyone else taking care of your children can easily access it should an emergency occur. When you call the Poison Control Center, be sure to take the product to the phone with you to answer any questions the experts might have. And, never make your child vomit or give him anything to eat or drink before you call. If your child has collapsed, or is seizing or not breathing, call 911 immediately.
As parents and caregivers, we are responsible for ensuring the safety of our children. By following these simple tips and knowing what to do when our vigilant efforts fail, children across America will be safer not only during National Poison Prevention Week but throughout the year.
|
Comment on this Blog Post: