Tips for Poison Prevention
By Rene Hopkins, RN
Coordinator of SAFE KIDS of East Central Georgia

Augusta, Ga. -- More than 90 percent of all poison exposures occur in the home. It's a shocking number. But even more shocking is the 1.1 million poisonings that were reported to poison control centers in 2000 for children ages 5 and under. Common household products such as cleaning supplies, cosmetics, pesticides, even art supplies and plants can be culprits.

So how do you protect your family? In recognition of National Poison Prevention Week (March 16-22), SAFE KIDS of East Central Georgia offers the following tips on poison prevention:

• Knowledge is power. Know which products are potentially harmful. Even something like mouthwash can be poisonous if a large amount is ingested.
• Lock 'em up. All household products and medications should be locked away or stored out of the reach of curious young fingers. \
• Don't leave potentially poisonous products unattended. It only takes a few seconds for a poisoning to occur.
• Medicine isn't candy. Most children's medications are flavored to make them pleasant to eat. But it's important to teach children the difference between the two. And parents need to remember to read labels and give children the correct dosages.
• Check your plants. Know which plants are poisonous and either remove them or put them out of reach. Teach children never to put leaves, berries, seeds or nuts from any plant into their mouths.
• Clean your space. Old medicine, paint and other potential poisons have a way of stored and forgotten in corners and back shelves of storage areas where curious children can find them. Keep your storage areas clean and free of these products that you no longer need.
• Check for lead. If your house was built before 1978, check for lead-based paint. Cover it with a sealant or have a professional remove it.
• Know the numbers. Post the toll-free poison-prevention hotline, 1-800-222-1222, at every phone. It's also a good idea to keep a bottle of ipecac syrup on hand, but use it only on the advice of a physician or poison control center.
• Teach grandparents and other relatives. Make sure your relatives' homes are also poison-proofed to ensure the safety of your visiting children.

MCG Health System is composed of MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the Physicians Practice Group. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Hospitals and Clinics, Children's Medical Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by offering the highest level of primary and specialty health care.

Note to editors: Rene Hopkins is Coordinator of SAFE KIDS of East Central Georgia, which is sponsored by the Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center.