Wednesday, March 9, 2005

Protect Your Family from Household Hazards

The same products that help keep your body healthy and your house clean may also cause severe injuries and even death.

On March 20-26, the Atlantic County Division of Public Health will observe National Poison Prevention Week with a reminder to all county residents that many everyday items can be dangerous if used inappropriately.

According to the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System (NJPIES) nearly 80,000 poison exposures were reported to local poison control centers in 2004. Over 2,600 of those calls came from Atlantic County residents. Most poison exposures occur in the home and involve common household products such as cleaning supplies, medicine, cosmetics and other personal care items.

"County residents can keep their families safe by storing all harmful substances out of the reach of children," said Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson. "If you think someone has been exposed to poison, call 1-800-222-1222 immediately and talk with a poison control expert."

Statistics from NJPIES reveal that, on average, poison control centers handle one poison exposure incident every 14 seconds through the designated telephone hotline. The poison control experts who staff the hotline provide help in these emergencies, in addition to answering general questions about medications, household products and other potentially hazardous substances.

Children under age five are most vulnerable to accidental poison exposure. Last year there were close to 39,000 reports statewide of children under the age of six who were exposed to poisonous substances.

"We are providing education and performing environmental inspections to reduce the number of accidental poisonings in Atlantic County," explained Health Officer Patricia Diamond.

The Division of Public Health investigates cases of childhood lead poisoning and ensures that chemicals are clearly labeled and stored appropriately during inspections of public facilities such as restaurants and swimming areas.

The division recommends the following precautions to significantly reduce the risk of accidental poison exposure in your home:
· Place houseplants and flowers out of the reach of young children.
· Never place rodent or insect baits where small children can get to them.
· Keep all cleaners and medicines locked up and out of sight.
· Make sure potentially hazardous items are not stored with food. Also, keep these dangerous items in their original containers with visible labels.
· Protect pets by keeping antifreeze, gasoline, paint and pesticides out of their reach. Dispose of these products on community household hazardous waste collection days.
· Do not leave open packages of household cleaners or pesticides unattended, even for a short time.
· Follow the instructions printed on medication packaging and never mix medicines with alcohol.
· Children under age six should be tested for lead exposure by a pediatrician.
· Make sure you inspect all fuel burning appliances regularly. If maintenance is needed, call a professional.
· Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
· If you suspect a poison exposure, contact the local poison control center immediately by calling 1-800-222-1222.

For more information about National Poison Prevention Week or ways to prevent poison exposure in your home, visit www.poisonprevention.org and www.njpies.org or call the Atlantic County Division of Public Health at 609-645-5971.

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