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Texas Poison Center Network News
Greetings!
President Barack Obama has declared September 2012 as National Preparedness month. As thousands of our fellow Americans respond to and recover from the damage done by Hurricane Isaac, we are called to remember that preparedness for emergencies can save lives. Each of us has an important role to play in bolstering our preparedness for disasters of all types -- from cyber incidents and acts of terrorism to tornadoes, flooding and poisonings.
Every 15 seconds, a poison center somewhere in the United States gets a call. Only half of these calls are about children, so it's important to keep the phone number handy. Understanding poison prevention techniques, such as keeping medicines out of the reach of children, putting chemicals up and away, etc., keeps us prepared every day to prevent disasters. For helpful tips year round, visit us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter by clicking the links to the right.
To learn more about the risks facing your community and to find out more about what you can do to stay prepared, please visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov.
You can also take action by building a disaster supply kit with food, water, and essential supplies in case of emergency, and by developing and sharing an emergency plan with their loved ones. As always, be prepared for a poison emergency by keeping the Poison Help line number (1-800-222-1222) programmed in your cell phone. |
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Poison Prevention Tip of the Month:
Each year, the nation's 57 poison centers receive more than 35,000 calls about exposures to art products; the vast majority are about children younger than 6. Although most exposures cause only minor effects, and very few require treatment by a doctor, it's still important to handle art supplies with care. Remember to follow these tips:
- Read the label carefully, and follow all instructions for safe use and disposal.
- Discard products that have passed their expiration dates.
- Don't eat or drink while using art products.
- Wash up - skin, equipment and environment - after use.
- Never use products to paint skin or decorate food unless the product is specifically labeled for that use.
- Store art products in their original containers locked up and out of the reach of children.
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News & Updates
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer has called on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to put forward regulations that result in child safety caps on the packaging of dishwashing and laundry detergent gel pods that are posing serious risks to young children. The gel pods, which are relatively new to the United States, are small in size and come in a variety of bright colors, making them attractive to children, who confuse them for candy. |
Share your story!
Have you ever called your local poison center? We want to hear from you so we can share our success stories. We may use your feedback on social media, in our newsletter or for teaching purposes. You can always remain anonymous. Simply respond back to this email or post your story on our Facebook page. |
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