Tip Tuesday: Accidental Poisioning, What to do.

We would never want anything bad to happen but knowing what to do in an emergency can save a life! Here's a good list of preventative precautions and what to do if something happens.

Prevention:

-Keep emergency numbers next to your phone

-Use child-resistant containers (but remember: child-resistant container are not completely childproof)

- Keep potentially poisonous products in their origional containers 

-Place potentially poisonous products out of reach immediately after use

-Put Mr. Yuck stickers in all poisonous products in and around your home, and teach children what the stickers mean. (For more information on Mr. Yuck- or to order Mr. Yuck stickers - visit the Washington Poison Center's Web site HERE.)

Make sure these products are stored safely
-Prescription and over-the-counter medications (Including aspirin and vitamins)
-Disinfectants, deodorants and air fresheners
-All kinds of sprays
-Polishes and cleansing powder
-Fertilizers and weed killers
-Insect and rodent poison; slug bait
-Paint remover and turpentine
-Cosmetics
-Soaps, detergents and shampoo
-Toilet bowl and drain cleaners
-Lye and bleach
-Kerosene and lighter fluids
-Insect repellent
-Mothballs and pesticides

What to do when someone is poisoned:
If it is a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1. If you suspect a possible poisioning call the Washington Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Be prepared to answer these questions:
-What was taken?
-When was it taken?
-How much was taken?
-Who took it? Body Size makes a big difference in determining a poisonous dose.
-The name, condition, age and weight of the patient.
-Addresses and telephone number from where you are calling

Poison Center:
The Washington Poison Center is a 24-hour telephone service providing information and emergency response for poisonings. Staffed by nurses, pharmacists and poison information specialists (and supported by a board-certified clinical toxicologist), the center handles over 70,000 calls a year.

All this information was provided by the Washington State Health department. For more info click HERE!


Happy Tuesday!