National Poison Prevention Week—March 18-24, 2012
By Lina Younes
Did you know that poisonings continue to be a significant cause of illness and death in the United States? Did you also know that the majority of these poisonings are 100% preventable? That’s why EPA and its federal partners are joining forces to increase awareness of the dangers of poisoning during National Poison Prevention Week, March 18-24. More than 150,000 calls to poison centers involved pesticides. More than 50% of these exposures involve children 5 years old or younger.
EPA has taken special steps to prevent accidental exposures among young children because they are especially vulnerable for several reasons. Since their body and organs are in full development mode, any exposure increases poisoning dangers. Also, since children are frequently crawling and putting things in their mouth, these behaviors put them at a greater risk. In fact, last year, EPA took regulatory steps to prevent poisonings from rodent control products in the home. Now EPA is requiring that all manufacturers of rat poison products only sell them to consumers in bait stations that are tamper-resistant for children and pets.
So what can you do to protect your family from accidental poisonings? Here are some simple tips:
- First of all, keep pest control products, household cleaners, and medication up high, out of children’s reach, in a locked cabinet or garden shed.
- Read the label before using a pest control or household cleaning product.
- Using more than indicated on the label does not kill more pests or clean better. In fact, misuse of the product only increases the risk of poisonings.
- Keep pesticides and household chemicals in their original bottles.
- Don’t use illegal pesticides. They are extremely toxic and dangerous.
- Go through your home room by room to see where there are potential poisoning hazards and correct accordingly.
- Program the Poison Help Line (800-222-1222) into your phone and post the poison help line number near your phone. In the event of an accidental poisoning, call the toll free Poison Help line which is staffed around the clock. Help is available in English, Spanish and other languages.
Help us spread the word during National Poison Prevention Week! Together we may prevent accidental poisonings in the home. Have you taken any steps to prevent poisonings lately? We would love to hear from you.
If you want additional information on the safe use of pest control products, visit our new Website.
About the author: Lina Younes has been working for EPA since 2002 and currently serves as acting associate director for environmental education. Prior to joining EPA, she was the Washington bureau chief for two Puerto Rican newspapers and she has worked for several government agencies.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Mar 19, 2012 @ 13:03:09
These things are basic. One thing that I notice is that we are the ones who are creating these harmful substances. These will not only poison us but also earth, the world we call home.
Mar 20, 2012 @ 07:24:44
A child performs “drinking by mistake” of a drug, and losing its life,
This accident is to be able to be a country of wherever.
Even plastic suffocates.
Until a child grows big,
Thing with the danger to lose its life
The parent never puts it in the place that a child picks up.
This is only responsibility of the parents
I think so
Even if a parent is a little inconvenient, there is no help for it
I think that it looks like it with a parent.
Because this management does not have confidence, I do not marry.
Mar 21, 2012 @ 18:10:24
March 18-24 is the National Poison Prevention week, so we thought we would discuss Fluoride Toxicity-Risk Doses, Symptoms, and Management. Please share with friends as this info can save lives. Portland Dentist discusses Fluoride Toxicity-Risk Doses, Symptoms, and Management.