Be Poison Safe

1
Be Poison Safe

• Janet Blair,
• Child Care Health Consultant
• Perry County Health Department

2
Poison Prevention

• In the U.S. a child is poisoned every 30 seconds
• 5.7 million poisonings occur every year
• In Kentucky, the KY Regional Poison Center of
  Kosair Childrens Hospital receives 64,000 calls
  each year
• 65 of those calls involve children
• 70 of those cases can be handled at home

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What are Poisons?

• A poison is any substance that can cause harmful
  effects in the body.
• Millions of people are unintentionally poisoned
  each year
• Children under the age of 6 are at greatest risk

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Forms Of Poisons

• Solids
• plants, powders, medications and foreign objects
• Liquids
• bleach, lamp oil, cleaners and perfume
• Sprays
• insecticides, paint, cosmetics and cleaners
• Invisibles
• carbon monoxide,
• mixing of products and gases

5
5 Ways A Person Can Be Poisoned

• Bites and Stings
• Ingestion eating or drinking
• Inhalation breathing
• Ocular in the eye
• Dermal - on the skin

6
Reasons Children are Poisoned

• Hungry and Thirsty
• Unable to read labels
• Curious and explore
• Put things in mouth
• Imitating Adults

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Nothing is Child Proof

• The definition of child resistant is that 80 of
  4 year olds cannot open the container within 4
  minutes.

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What happens to the other 20 percent ?
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Teenagers are Poisoned Because

• Dont read directions
• Drug use / inhalants
• Suicide intentional
• Experimentation

10
Adults are Poisoned Because

• Dont read or put on eyeglasses
• Dont turn on the light
• Dont pay enough attention
• Suicide / intentional

11
Seniors are Poisoned Because

• Seniors take an average of 7-13 different meds
• Their meds may need to be adjusted
• Forget to take meds
• Over or under medicate themselves

12

• To a child, many substances are Dangerous
  look-a-likes

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Dangerous Look A Likes

• Examples
• Palmolive dish soap / Sprite bottle

• Blue Mouthwash, windshield washer fluid,
  window cleaner / blueberry flavored punch

• Comet / Parmesan Cheese

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How to be Poison Safe

• When you bring something home THINK
• Is this a dangerous look-a-like?
• Is this medicine or pills?
• Does it have alcohol / gasoline in it?
• Does it contain insecticides or pesticides?
• YES? Store it out of sight and out of reach

15
Activated Charcoal

• Specially treated charcoal that is made to bind
  to poisons, so they will not be absorbed by the
  patient
• Having Activated Charcoal could save you a trip
  to ER
• Always call Poison Control First

16
Substances Managed with Activated Charcoal

• Mushrooms
• Cough / Cold Medicine
• Acetaminophen
• Cigarette butts
• Vitamin (no iron)

17
Substances Not Managed by A.C.

• Alcohol
• Iron
• Lithium
• Any caustic, corrosive substance

18
Common Very Dangerous Poisons Found in Homes

• Medicines
• Cleaning products that can cause burns drain
  opener, toilet bowl cleaner, oven cleaner and
  rust remover
• Windshield washer solution
• Pesticides
• Antifreeze
• Hydrocarbons furniture polish, lighter fluid,
  lamp oil, kerosene, turpentine and paint thinner

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How to Prevent Unintentional Poisonings

• Call the Poison Control Center and ask if a
  substance is poison
• Keep potential poisons out of reach of children
• Dont take medicines in front of children
• Do not mix products
• Do not store products in unmarked containers
  use original containers

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Think Someone Might Be Poisoned?

• Call the Poison Center First
• Information is available
• 24 / 7 1-800-222-1222
• Remember 70 of cases involving children can be
  taken care of at home with the assistance of
  Poison Control.

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Why Call Poison Control

• Staffed with registered nurses that provide
  emergency info
• Can refer you to hospital or doctor
• Experts and Specialist are available 24 / 7
• All calls confidential
• Will give follow up call

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What to do in Case of Poisoning

• Remain Calm
• Call the Poison Control Center
• If they can not be reached call 911
• Do not give anything by mouth until you have been
  advised to do so

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Things You Will Need To Know

• Have the label ready to read to Poison Control if
  possible
• Victims age and weight
• Existing health conditions
• Substance involved and how child contacted it.
  Ex inhaled, swallowed, etc
• If person has vomited
• Your location
• Any first aid that may have been given