National Poison Prevention Week

By sarajean on 2/28/10 8:12pm
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March 14 through 20 is Poison Prevention Week, a week during which we should all take note of poison prevention in our homes and general environments. Do you know the poison prevention number by heart? Have you ordered some “Mr. Yuck” stickers? If not, read on and take these actions to prevent poisoning in your family.

  • Learn your local Posion Control number. You can always call 1-800-222-1222 when you have a question about poisoning. You can also find poison education events near you.
  • Lock up all household cleaners, medications, and other potentially poisonous products. Don’t trust child safety locks—remember how your clever little one managed that child gate so quickly? He or she will master a child lock in a heartbeat. It’s better to lock them up on a high shelf safely away.
  • Use Mr. Yuck stickers or another way to show kids that poisonous materials should not be touched. You can put these stickers on anything that should not go into their mouths, from cleaning products to prescription drugs to anything else in your home. Order your Mr. Yuck stickers here. You can also let children listen to the Mr. Yuck Song and learn more at the site.
  • Teach children that only food goes in their mouths. Cleaning fluids, perfumes, medicines and other potentially toxic materials are not food!
  • Get rid of poisonous materials. Switch to natural cleaning products like vinegar for a safer alternative.
  • There are 61 poison centers across the country. When you call a poison center, they can tell you whether or not a substance is poisonous, the recommended treatment for a suspected poisoning, and what to do to prevent poisoning in your own home.
  • As always, if it’s an emergency, dial 911 or head to the nearest ER. If your child cannot breathe or is exhibiting obvious signs of poisoning, it is an emergency.
  • To host a poison event near you, visit the Poison Prevention Week Guide website. There’s a map of poison centers across the country, information and Frequently Asked Questions about poison centers, and lots of tips on holding your own event.
  • Have your child participate in the Annual Poison Prevention Poster Contest. This will provide him or her with a fun activity to learn more about poison and how to prevent being poisoned. You can see past winners as well as find out how to enter here.
  • Download more tips and materials here.
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