POISONINGS SPAN A LIFETIME

Donna Lotzer, Clinical PharmacistPoison Education Coordinator

UW Hospital and ClinicsPoison Prevention Center

POISONS CAN BE FOUND EVERYWHERE !

Glass Cleaner

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LEARN ABOUT “OOPS MOMENTS” AND HOW TO BE SAFE AROUND THE HOME

Learn how to make your home safe and poison-free for yourselves and the grandkids

Find out how to be safe with medicines

Wonder why accidents can happen to the best of us?

WHATS AN OLDER PERSON TO DO ?

Be Aware (room by room survey)

Take Care (point out possible hazards)

Be Prepared (have pharmacy & poison center phone numbers posted)

SOME POISONS ARE NOT OBVIOUS

Faulty furnaces and heaters produce deadly carbon monoxide

Mixing chemicals can cause noxious fumes

“Seeing” without glasses leads to mistakes

Spoiled food looks like edible food

LOOK-ALIKE PRODUCTS

“Mistaken identity” leads to problems Cleaners mixed up with sport drinks Comet cleanser or Parmesan cheese Candy looks like kid’s vitamins Plants and mushrooms – edible or

poison Taking the wrong medicine or dose Call the poison center for advice!

1-800-222-1222 nationally

SHOE BOXES AND MYSTERY MEDS

Proper storage for meds is important

Check to see if they have expired

Sort through that shoe box!

Caution for duplicate ingredients in Rx and OTC products

HAVING A SENIOR MOMENT ??

A little confused?

Things happen fast?

Unexpected visitors?

Change of routine?

How did that happen?

Should I bother to check it out?

BEING A GRANDPARENT MEANS…

Youngsters get into things “in a flash”

Potential for poisoning is higher than in adults

Poison center staff are always ready to help out – just call 1-800-222-1222

I DON’T NEED A POISON CENTER…OR DO I?

I can’t read that tiny print on cleaner labels – OOPS – it says don’t mix them!

I’ll store items where I can reach them – OOPS – that’s mouse poison in the pantry!

My medicines have snap caps to make opening easy – OOPS – my grandchild just ate some!!

TIPS TO PREVENT POISONING

Read/follow labels Lock poisons out

of sight and reach Look for & use

child-resistant packages

Don’t take medicine in front of children

Separate storage for cleaners and food

GRANDPARENT/CAREGIVER’S ROLE

IN POISON PREVENTION Poison prevention saves

everyone time, money, and worry

Grandparents/caregivers need to know: When to call the

poison center Access is through a

toll-free number: 1-800-222-1222

“MY GRANDCHILD JUST GOT INTO…”

Separate youngster and item immediately

Fluids generally OK if ingestion

Skin & eye exposure will need flushing

Call the poison center at once - do not wait for the child to become ill

POISON CENTER WILL NEED TO KNOW...

What was taken/spilled/splashed/inhaled?

How much was involved & when did this happen?

Age and weight of person?

How is the toddler/child/adult right now?

THE TAKE-HOME MESSAGE IS…

When in doubt, check it out with the poison center at 1-800-222-1222

To prevent poisonings, watch kids carefully !!