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What is National Poison Prevention Week?
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On September 26, 1961, the 87th United States Congress passed a joint resolution (Public Law 87-319) requesting that the President of the United States proclaim the third week of March as National Poison prevention Week. On February 7, 1962, President John F. Kennedy responded to this request and proclaimed the third week of March as National Poison Prevention Week. The first National Poison Prevention Week was observed on March 1962.
This year, Nation Poison Prevention Week is March 17-23, 2019 and the Texas Poison Center Network is again sponsoring the Poison Prevention Week poster contest and video contest. Visit our website for more information and follow us on social media to see this year's winners. There will be regional prizes and the winners will advance to compete in the state contest to compete for the grand prize.
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Case #1
A poison center specialist received a call from a dad who was cleaning his vehicle in the garage when he caught a glimpse of his 2 year old toddler drinking some
vehicle tire/wheel cleaner that was stored in a water bottle. The father was immediately advised to call 911 for an ambulance. Unfortunately, the child passed away due to the potency of the chemicals in the substance that was drank.
Case #2
A grandmother called the Texas Poison Center Network after her granddaughter had eaten a few of her blood pressure pills. The grandmother had flown to visit her family who lived in a different state and she was storing her medicines in her luggage when her grandchild found them. The child was referred to the hospital and after 24 hours of observation was released with no complications.
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Traveling this Spring Break? Texas Poison Center Network Provides Medication Safety Tips:
The call came into a poison control center last March: the frightened parent of a 2-year-old girl called from a cruise ship to report that the child had somehow gotten into the parent's motion sickness pills. The poison specialist who answered the call was able to assure the parent that, given the medication that was taken and the amount, she would be fine.
March is a popular time for travel since spring break is a time when kids are on a little break from school. Make sure your child and family are safe this break during your travels. Thousands of young children are taken to emergency rooms each year because they got into a medication that was left within their reach. Sadly, accidental ingestions do not take vacations. It is important for parents to keep medications away from children. Turning your back for even a minute can lead to a serious accidental ingestion.
The Texas Poison Center Network would like to provide you with a few prevention tips to help make your travels safer.
- When packing, it is important to keep your medications in the original child resistant containers. Avoid using containers such as pill organizers or zip lock bags, because these can be easily opened by a child.
- If you need to transfer your medicine into a travel size container, be sure to clearly label it with the name of the medicine.
- If staying at a hotel, inspect the room and make sure there are no stray pills left by previous guests and discard any that may pose a risk.
- Store your medications on a high cabinet or in the hotel room safe, so it is out of reach of your children.
- Each time you use your medication, make sure to securely close it and put it away. Never leave it on your bedside table where children can easily reach it.
- If flying, make sure to keep important medications with you in your carry-on bag. This way, even if your luggage gets lost, you are not without your essential medications.
- Never leave your medication in a suitcase if staying at a hotel, as it can be easily accessed.
- If staying at someone's home, be sure to ask them where you can safely store your medication.
- Be aware: 95% of accidental drug poisonings are caused by kids getting into medicines left within their reach.
- Make sure your medications are stored in a temperature controlled environment and keep them dry and out of direct sunlight.
- Never put different kinds of medications in the same container. Even though the color or shape might be different, medication error can still occur.
- If some of your medications are taken more than once a day and you're traveling internationally to a different time zone, it is important to plan ahead and talk to your doctor about your medication schedule.
- You might want to set your alarm to help remind you to take your medications on time, in case you're having too much fun and forget!
- It's smart to bring copies or pictures of your prescription medication bottles with you, or a list that includes the generic and brand name and the exact dosing information.
Remember to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
Medication error? Possible poisoning? Questions?
Free, confidential, expert medical advice, 24/7/365
1-800-222-1222
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