March is childhood poisoning prevention month to raise awareness and provide resources to prevent children from being poisoned. Children make up the largest portion of poisonings incidents in the United States however, poisoning affects all age groups.
Poisonous Substances
Poisonous items are not just products labeled ‘poisonous’. Any household item can be poisonous when used the wrong way, or by the wrong person. Some examples of potentially poisonous substances include: medications, alcoholic beverages, products made from alcohol, tobacco, and cleaning supplies. Even water can become poisoning when over-ingested.
The highest poisonous exposures come from cosmetic and personal care products, followed by cleaning products and medications. Children often do not know the risks associated with playing with makeup or other products and can ingest hazardous substances. It is important to know however that not all incidents are due to swallowing products. Poisoning can occur through eyes, skin and breathing harmful substances.
Statistics
In 2018, the poison control centers helped with nearly 2.1 million poison exposures. Children under the age of six make up the highest population of incidents. Adults follow making up over 39% of incidents. Over 75% of poison exposures in the United States in 2018 were unintentional incidents.
Prevention
Storing items out of plain sight of small children can help prevent many incidents. As children grow older, teach them about the risk associated with ingesting or inhaling products. Read labels and directions before using products. Follow precautions to protect yourself and others when using potentially hazardous products. Finally, prepare ahead of time by installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home and looking for signs of poisoning.
Help Is Available
The American Association of Poison Control Centers provides a hotline available year-round, 24 hours a day.
Care givers can call: (800)222-1222, free of charge. Calls are private and can be used in an emergency or simply to answer questions you may have about poisonous substances around your home. Caregivers may also visit www.poisonhelp.org for assistance with questions or concerns.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
Source(s): Poison Control, “Poison Statistics” and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “March is Childhood Poisoning Prevention Month“
