Doing your part

Nursing, Apr 2003 by Cohen, Michael R

POISON PREVENTION

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 90% of accidental poisonings occur in the home, and 60% of the victims are under age 6. Teach parents and caregivers these medication safety tips:

* Keep the phone number of your local poison control center in a prominent place for emergency use. If you don't know the local number, dial the national hot line (1-800-222-1222) to connect with poison prevention experts in your area.

* Use child-resistant lids on medicine and other products and install childproof locks on medicine cabinets.

* Keep syrup of ipecac or activated charcoal available to treat poisonings, if recommended by your primary care provider or pharmacist. However, don't give the child anything until you call a poison control center-these substances could make matters worse in certain conditions.

* Keep all prescription and nonprescription medications in their original child-resistant containers.

* Always turn on the light when giving or taking medicine to make sure you can read the label and measure the correct dose.

* Avoid taking medications in a child's presence-he may want to imitate you.

* Never call medicine "candy."

* Check medication expiration dates every few months. If a medication isn't dated, throw it out 6 months after purchase.

* Don't dispose of any medications in an open trash container-many are dangerous to small children and pets.

* Keep vitamins and other over-the-counter preparations out of children's reach-they can be poisonous if taken in large doses.

Source: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists: http://www.safemedication.com/meds/medSafety.cfm#anchor1.