National Poison Prevention Week is March 19-25

By Erin Lucero
Office of Development, School of Medicine

The Virginia Poison Center hopes that Virginians will mark National Poison Prevention Week, March 19-25, by making their homes safer from accidental poisonings.

Both adults and children can be victims of accidental poisonings. More children in Virginia are hospitalized for poisoning accidents than for any other injury. Some simple steps can help prevent such accidents. The Virginia Poison Center recommends the following:

• Always store chemicals, cleaners and medications in their original containers. Many poisonings occur when a product is put into an unlabeled jar, plastic bag or box;

• Use child-resistant closures and packaging, but realize that these are not "childproof" and many children can still open them;

• Keep all household chemicals and all medications out of children’s sight in a locked cabinet. Once children are older than 12 to 18 months, putting things "up high" isn’t safe enough because most toddlers can climb and still reach them;

• Have ipecac syrup and activated charcoal in the home first aid kit. These are medicines used as treatment in some cases of swallowed poisons, but they should never be given without the advice of a poison center. They can cause more harm than good if given incorrectly; and

• Post the number of the regional poison control center near every telephone.

If you suspect an accidental poisoning, call the poison center immediately. Most of the time, accidental poisonings can be treated at home, with strict guidance from the poison center.

The Virginia Poison Center at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Medical College of Virginia Hospitals is available free of charge, 24 hours a day for the central and eastern half of the state. Last year, the center responded to over 27,000 calls for assistance.

To receive a free poison prevention brochure and a telephone sticker, contact the Virginia Poison Center at (804) 828-4780. For immediate help with a suspected poisoning, call their emergency hotline at (800) 552-6337.