Palmetto Poison Center Observes National Poison Prevention Week

COLUMBIA, SC – March 19, 2012 – Each year more than 2 million callsare received at Poison Centers nationwide.  The Palmetto Poison Centerreceived over 35,000 calls in 2011 from all counties in South Carolina.More than half of the calls were for exposures in children under the ageof 6. The Palmetto Poison Center invites the public to join them inobserving National Poison Prevention Week, which begins on March 19,2012. This year’s theme is: Children act fast, so do poisons.   

Parentsand caregivers can prevent unintentional poisonings by using childresistant packaging and keeping medicines and household products lockedup and out of children’s reach. Often new parents and caregivers, whoaren’t accustomed to having small children in the home, are unaware ofthe dangers presented by everyday household products. Parents andcaregivers should follow these basic poison prevention tips to reducethe risk of unintentional poisonings:

• Keep all household products and medicines locked up, and out of sight and reach
• Use child resistant packaging properly by closing the container securely after use
• When any product is in use, keep it in your sight. (Walking away from it only briefly can lead to an exposure)
• Keep all items in their original containers
• Read the label before using any product or medicine
• Avoid taking medicine in front of children, they love to imitate adults
• Call 1-800-222-1222 for free confidential information 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!

The Palmetto Poison Center invites you to browse our website http://poison.sc.edu  and order free information for your home. Plan ahead and be safe.