Did you know that this week and every 3rd week of March is observed as Poison Prevention Week? This has been a national proclamation from the United States Congress and the President of the United States, initially issued in 1961. President Richard Nixon first signed the Poison Prevention Packaging Act into law in 1970 requiring child resistant packaging for prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and household chemicals.
Some important tips to remember as we observe Poison Prevention Week are:
- Keep the national free poison control help-line number handy. Memorize if possible. Save it in your smartphone or place it in a place where it is readily accessible. Poison Control Help-line: 1800-222-1222. Text: POISON to 797979 to save the number to your smartphone.
- Keep medicines and hazardous substances in their original child-resistant containers and up, away, and out of sight of children.
- Avoid taking medication in front of children and never refer to medicine as “candy.”
- Read and review medication and product labels before use.
- Dispose of unused medications by pouring down the drain or the toilet and rinse the containers before discarding.
- Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home.
Source: https://nationaltoday.com/poison-prevention-week/
https://www.aapcc.org/prevention/nppw