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Can
you prevent childhood poisoning exposures?
Yes! Most accidental
poisonings can be avoided if adults take precautions with hazardous
household substances. Remember, children can't be poisoned by somehting
they can't see or reach!
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ARE SOME WAYS YOU CAN "POISON-PROOF" YOUR HOME: |
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- Anticipate
your child's curiosity and abilities according to age and developmental
skills.
- Ask you
pharmacy to put all your prescription drugs in child-resistant
containers.
- Store household
cleansers, bug sprays, medicines, and garage products out of reach
or in locked cabinets.
- Store food
and household cleansers separately - never side
by side.
- Put all
products away right after using them.
- Always store
medicines in their original containers and destroy medicines you
no longer use.
- Do not take
or give medicines in the dark or without your glasses or when
you are sleepy.
- NEVER
CALL MEDICINE "CANDY"
- NEVER
transfer
a poisonous substance to a food or drink container!
- Rinse all
empty containers and discard appropriately in the trash.
- Be careful
of first-aid directions on bottles or antidote charts: some may
be outdated and/or have incorrect information. (If you are
in doubt, call the Poison Center).
- Keep the
telephone number of the Poison Center attached to your phone.
Don't hesitate to call if you have any concerns or questions.
IF YOU NEED
TO CALL THE POISON CENTER, have the following information
ready:
- Age and
weight of the poisoned victim
- Name of
the poison product and the quantity the victim has eaten or been
exposed to
- Time the
poisoning occurred
- Any symptoms
occurring
- Any first
aid measures you may have already performed
- Your name
and telephone number
WHAT
SHOULD YOU DO ABOUT MEDICINES???
- When a doctor
prescribes medicine for you.... be sure you understand WHAT and
WHY your physician has prescribed the medication and EXACTLY how
to take the medicine correctly. Be sure to WRITE down this information...or
have someone write it for you. DO NOT rely on memory.
- Don't take
"over-the-counter" (OTC) medications without checking with your
doctor or pharmacist, especially if you are already taking prescription
medications.
- Always tell
your doctor and pharmacist ALL the medications
you are taking.
- Keep all
medications in their original container.
- When pouring
medicine from a bottle, keep the label UP, this will prevent the
medicine from spilling on the bottle and making the label difficult
to read.
- Do not stock
pile old medications!
- Never take
medications in the dark, without your glasses or when you are
sleepy!
- Talk with
your pharmacist about how to store your medications. Some medications
are sensitive to cold, heat or light; they may need to be stored
in special places.
- Always check
to see if there are any food or beverages you should avoid while
taking your medication.
- Report any
new or unusual symptoms to your doctor, as well as any side effects
that are bothersome to you.
- ALWAYS
ASK IF YOU ARE UNSURE.......about any of your medications!
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