Contact:
Communications Specialist
Jennifer Hillmann
720-879-2462
jennifer.hillmann@state.co.us
DHSEM.state.co.us | COEmergency.com | Colorado.gov/MARS
Centennial, Colo. – March 17, 2017 — March 19-25, 2017, is National Poison Prevention Week. Poisoning is the leading cause of death from injuries in the United States, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Each year, more than two million poisonings are reported to the nation’s poison centers, which can be reached through the toll-free Poison Help line, 1-800-222-1222.
The following tips can help protect you and your loved ones:
Safety Tips
- Use National Poison Prevention Week as a time to inspect your entire home for any medicines or household products, such as detergents, cleaning products, pesticides, and fertilizers that may not be stored properly.
- Always store medicines and household products up high and install safety latches on cabinets used for medicines and household products.
- Keep medicines and vitamins in cupboards that are out of reach of children.
- Never call medicine “candy” to get a child to take it.
- For older members of the family who may be struggling to read the small type on medicine labels, use a daily dosage reminder dispenser to help track date, time and dosage.
Visit American Association of Poison Control Centers which supports the nation’s 55 poison centers on their efforts to prevent and treat poison exposures. They offer free, confidential medical advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
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