This is National Poison Prevention Week

This is National Poison Prevention Week! National Poison Prevention Week was established by the U.S. Congress in 1961 to focus national attention on the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them. Every year more than 2 million poisonings are reported to the Nation’s poison centers. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, approximately 90 percent of poisonings happen at home, and 51 percent of poisonings involve children under the age of 6.

“By educating local residents about preventative steps in the home and in their lives, I believe we can make serious progress in keeping our loved ones safe,” said Chaundra Bishop, Adams County Safe Kids Coordinator. “It is vital that people arm themselves with basic information on poison prevention in the home, such as keeping chemicals out of the reach of children and carefully reading the labels and dosages on all products.

Here are some simple things, complements of Adams County Safe Kids, that you can do to help protect your family:

1. Keep cleaners and other toxic products out of reach, use safety locks on cabinets within reach.
2. Use original, child-resistant packaging.
3. Keep medicines up and away.
4. Put the poison help number in your phone.
5. Check for lead.
6. Install a carbon monoxide alarm.