Tuesday Tidbit: National Poison Prevention Week

National Poison Prevention Week is March 16 - 22.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that each year approximately 2.4 million people swallow or come into contact with a poisonous substance.  More then half of the 2.4 million are under the age of 6. 

With this week being National Poison Prevention Week, the AAP has come out with tips to help prevent and what to do should you have or know of a child who is poisoned or comes in contact with a poisonous substance.

Prevention is always the first and best step to take when it comes to poisonous substances and children.  Most poisonings happen when a child is in their own home and their parent or caregivers are not paying attention.  We all know how quick children can be and it only takes a moment for us to turn our backs for a child to get into something they should not be getting into.  The most dangerous substances in our houses are:

• Medicines
• Cleaning products
• Antifreeze & Windshield wiper fluid
• Pesticides & Garden fertilizers
• Furniture polish
• Gasoline & Kerosene

Placing these items out of the reach of children is, of course, the best action to take.  It is also important to put childproof locks on all cabinets that have dangerous substances in them.  Medications with child safety caps should be purchased.  Extra care should be taken when you are in a location you know has not been childproofed and/or when you are on vacation and staying some where you are not familiar with.  Several other tips recommended by the AAP are:

• Never refer to medicine as "candy" or another appealing name.
• Check the label each time you give a child medicine to ensure proper dosage.
• Never place poisonous products in food or drink containers.
• Keep coal, wood or kerosene stoves in safe working order.
• Maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

If a child in your care should come into contact with poison it is important to contact 911 or your local poison control center as soon as possible.  Keep the number of poison control on or near your phone.  Have the container with the poison in it with you when you call so you can read off any ingredients or listed information the emergency personal may ask you for.

The AAP offers a list of different types of poison situations and what type of treatment should be offered:

• Swallowed poison - Remove the item from the child, and have the child spit out any remaining substance. Do not make your child vomit. Do not use syrup of ipecac.
• Skin poison -- Remove the child's clothes and rinse the skin with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
• Eye poison -- Flush the child's eye by holding the eyelid open and pouring a steady stream of room temperature water into the inner corner.
• Poisonous fumes - Take the child outside or into fresh air immediately. If the child has stopped breathing, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and do not stop until the child breathes on his or her own, or until someone can take over.

Although the AAP lists the above treatments it is still important to call 911 or your local poison control center as soon as you can to advice them what has happened, what you have done, and how the child is acting.

Above all else remember - an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Keep poisonous substances out of reach and locked away from the curious eyes & hands of children.