Poison Prevention

About half of all calls to Poison Control Centers involve children under the age of Six

On Apr 3, 2014

The following tips on poison response and prevention are brought to you by NJM Insurance Company – your partner in safety.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is April 26, 2014

In Case of a Poison Emergency

Call 1-800-222-1222 for the National Poison Help Hotline. Help is available 24/7. Specially trained nurses, doctors and pharmacists are on call to respond to questions related to potential poison exposure.
Be ready to explain your situation, symptoms and the names of the products, medicines and/or containers related to the exposure.
Many poisons can act very quickly, so don’t waste time searching the Internet for information.

Medicines

Drug interactions can occur among prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Keep a list and discuss everything you’re taking with your doctor.
Vitamins can be poisonous in large doses, especially those containing iron.
Do not take medicine in larger quantities or more frequently than instructed to enhance the speed or impact of the drug’s effects.

Around the House

All lamp oils and many candles are toxic. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Never mix cleaning products, even if they’re different brands of the same type of cleanser. Toxic fumes could be released.
Never reuse detergent bottles for another purpose, even if you think they’re thoroughly cleaned.
Some household plants are poisonous. For a list of some of the more common ones visit poison.org/prevent/plants.asp.

Children

Most poisonings occur between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. when parents are distracted preparing dinner.
Read all product labels to find out what can be dangerous to kids. In addition to commonly known poisons, some types of make-ups, personal care products and art supplies can be hazardous.
Garages and sheds can contain dozens of poisons, such as lawn and garden chemicals, paints, stains, pesticides, gasoline, oil, washer fluid, antifreeze, and more. Make sure doors are locked, and store toxins securely on top shelves.
For additional safety related facts and tips visit the NJM Safety Center at njm.com and check back next month for Distracted Driving.

NJM Insurance Company, www.njm.com

1-800-232-6600