TOP STORY >>Poison Prevention Week: Keeping children safe

By Capt. Elizabeth Saltz
Outpatient Pharmacy Chief

This year marks the 50th anniversary of National Poison Prevention Week. This week is mandated by public law to elevate awareness to the dangers of unintentional poisonings. By proclamation of the president of the United States, Poison Prevention Week this year is March 18-24. This year’s theme is “Children Act Fast, So Do Poisons.”

Approximately 90 percent of poison exposures occur in the home and more than one million of our nation’s children under the age of five are exposed annually to potential poisons such as medicines and typical household chemicals. Medications are often stored or left in places easily accessible by children. A pill bottle can easily be mistaken for a toy filled with candy by young children. It only takes a split second for a child to swallow dangerous medications or other substances. Even though a package or packaging may be labeled “childproof,” it doesn’t mean that children can’t find a way to open it.

To keep your medicines safe from children, the following tips are recommended:

Buy products with child-proof containers but never rely solely on any kind of packaging to protect kids.

Keep all medications in childproof cabinets or medicine cabinets that children can’t reach.

Leave prescription and OTC medications in their original container. This identifying information may help save the life of a child who has accidentally ingested medicine.

Don’t keep medicines in places like a diaper bag or purse where children may have access. Houseguests shouldn’t leave medications in a suitcase or out in the open in a spare bedroom or bathroom.

Don’t take medications in front of children, because kids often imitate grown-ups.

Never refer to medicine as “candy.”

Talk to your pharmacist if you have additional questions.

It is important to not keep unused medication around the house. Proper disposal of medications can prevent an accidental exposure. Please plan to take advantage of the upcoming DEA National Take-Back Day (an event where the public can turn in unused medication for destruction) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 28 at the Base Exchange lobby. Another option for medication disposal available to the public is a drop box for unwanted medications, found at most law enforcement stations. The closest such drop box to the base is at the Jacksonville Police Department located at 1412 West Main Street. As a last resort, medications can also be disposed of at home. To do this safely, take the medication out of the original container and with an undesirable substance (such as sawdust, coffee grounds or kitty litter) and place in a sealed container. It is no longer recommended to flush most medications down the toilet. Removing unwanted medication from the home can decrease the risk of an accidental poisoning.

Overmedication is another reason for accidental poisonings occurring in children. Here are some guidelines recommended by the American Pharmacists Association when administering medications to children:

Adult medicines are not intended to be taken by children, and they’re not necessarily safe for little ones (even at lower doses).

Choose a medication made for children. Never give a child medicine for adults unless the label indicates the right dose for children or a doctor instructs you to do so. Read all labels carefully.

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before giving cold or cough medicine to make sure the medicine and dose is appropriate.

Give the right dose. You can make sure of this by using a dropper or measuring device available from the pharmacy. Kitchen spoons are not accurate and should not be used for giving medication.

Not all children are the same, so dosing based on age may not be correct.

While medications are a common source of poisoning, there are many other chemicals found in most homes that also pose a danger to children and pets. Here are some tips on how to poison proof your home:

Make sure you have a working Carbon Monoxide detector in your home.

Keep cleaners and chemicals in their original container and out of reach of children. Examples include: antifreeze, bleach, soap, nail polish, fuels, pesticides, and corrosive cleaners.

Make sure art supplies are used properly. Do not let children eat or drink while using any art supplies.

Keep a bottle of activated charcoal in your medicine cabinet, but do not use it unless directed to do so by poison control center staff or a doctor

Most accidental poisoning situations can be avoided with education and preventive measures. In the event of a suspected poisoning or envenomation, contact the national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. The call is free, confidential, and accessible from anywhere in the United States. The hotline is staffed at all times and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It is recommended to keep this number near your phone in case of emergency. Stop by the pharmacy during Poison Prevention Week for free poison prevention materials including magnets, stickers, and pamphlets. Remember, Children act fast and so do poisons. When in doubt, call the poison hotline to speak to a professional.