National poison prevention week

March 18-25 is National Poison Prevention Week, an observance that calls attention to the more than 2 million accidental poisonings that are reported each year at the 61 Poison Control Centers in the United States.

More than 90 percent of all poisonings occur in the home, and are a leading cause of death among adults. Children under 6 are most at risk from ingesting chemicals or medicines that, even if not fatal, can cause permanent injury. In 2004, about 85,000 children visited emergency rooms due to unintentional poisonings; 30 children died.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Association of Poison Control Centers offer these tips to lessen the risk of accidental poisoning:

“ Separate cleaning products, medicines and food/beverages by placing in separate storage cabinets or in separate rooms.

“ Keep chemicals and medicines in their original containers and close securely after use.

“ Always clean up work areas promptly and store materials securely.

“ Turn on the light when giving or taking medicine, to make sure you are using the correct dosage listed on the package.

“ Avoid taking medicine in front of children, and never refer to medicine as “candy.”

“ When answering a phone or doorbell, take young children along with you so they do not have the opportunity to explore unsupervised.

“ Teach the entire family how to responsibly handle cleaning products and medications, and urge older children to watch out for their younger siblings.

“ Write and post emergency numbers in a visible place, including the number of the national Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222).

The National Poison Prevention Week Council maintains a Web site with information on how to reduce the risk of poisoning at www.poisonprevention.org.

Home Tip: Program the number of the national Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) into your phone’s speed dial and post the number and the speed dial setting on an emergency list next to the telephone.