Each year more than 2 million calls are received at Poison Centers nationwide. The Palmetto Poison Center received over 36,000 calls in 2010 from all counties in South Carolina. More than half of the calls were for exposures in children under the age of 6. The Palmetto Poison Center invites the public to join them in observing National Poison Prevention Week, which began March 20. This year’s theme is: Children act fast, so do poisons.

Parents and caregivers can prevent unintentional poisonings by using child resistant packaging and keeping medicines and household products locked up and out of children’s reach. Often new parents and caregivers, who aren’t accustomed to having small children in the home, are unaware of the dangers presented by everyday household products. Parents and caregivers should follow these basic poison prevention tips to reduce the risk of unintentional poisonings:

• Keep all household products and medicines locked up, and out of sight and reach

• Use child resistant packaging properly by closing the container securely after use

• When any product is in use, keep it in your sight. (Walking away from it only briefly can lead to an exposure)

• Keep all items in their original containers

• Read the label before using any product or medicine

• Avoid taking medicine in front of children, they love to imitate adults

• Call 1-800-222-1222 for free confidential information 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!

The Palmetto Poison Center invites you to browse our website http://poison.sc.edu and order free information for your home. Plan ahead and be safe.