Poison Prevention
Putting You in Touch with the Resources
Volume 7, Number 2 - March, 2003
Editors: Carol A. Rice, Ph.D., RN, Professor and Extension Health Specialist, and Janet M. Pollard, MPH, Extension Associate-Health
Download PDF version of this Newsletter [152K]
Inside HealthHints....
- Poison Prevention: Putting You in Touch with the Resources
- Poison Prevention Week is March 16-22, 2003
- Extension and Poison Prevention
- Your First "Line" of Defense
- FREE Goods and Services
- Poisons Don't Only Affect Children
Poison Prevention: Putting You in Touch with the Resources
"Some 30 children die every year due to accidental poisonings, and approximately 1 million phone calls are placed to Poison Control Centers annually by adults seeking help when children have swallowed something harmful. In an effort to prevent such tragic events, National Poison Prevention Week was established by the U.S. Congress on September 16, 1961 (P.L. 87-319). Shortly thereafter, the Poison Prevention Week Council was organized to coordinate this annual event.
Every year since 1961, in fact, Poison Prevention Week Council members have worked to organize events during this special week that raise awareness of the dangers of unintentional poisonings, as well as steps that can be taken to prevent accidental poisonings in the first place. Our basic theme is "Children Act Fast...So Do Poisons!" Indeed, many poisonings happen when adults are distracted for just a few moments by the telephone, doorbell, or something else. Unfortunately, it also only takes a few moments for a small child to grab and swallow something that could be poisonous. This is why adults must make sure that household chemicals and medicines are stored away from children at all times, and that they know what to do if kids swallow something that they are not supposed to (Poison Prevention Week Council, Next years..., 2002)."
Poison Prevention Week is March 16-22, 2003
Order your Poison Prevention kit from CSREES by e-mailing your request and address to Deneta Somerville at DSOMERVILLE@intranet.reeusda.gov. You can request up to 3 copies.
If you prefer, this information can be downloaded from http://www.poisonprevention.org/.
(Note: Each part of the kit will need to be downloaded individually).
Order or download ASAP so that you can have all the materials you need to support poison prevention education in your community!
Extension and Poison Prevention
As a County Extension Agent, you are in a key role for providing accurate information to your community about how to prevent poisonings, and for pointing individuals to the right resources should a poisoning occur. Remember, the theme for this year's poison prevention week is "Children Act Fast...So Do Poisons." The message presented here is that time is essential and is on the side of the poison. Note that poisonings also occur among adults, especially older adults (see section on "look alikes"). In either case, it is crucial that you and the members of your community have accurate, up-to-date information at your fingertips. This issue of HealthHints will strive to give you quick and easy access to these resources.
Your First "Line" of Defense
The first "line" of defense against tragedy from accidental poisoning is making sure you and the members of your community know what "line" to call.
The first phone line to know is the emergency phone number: (800) 222-1222. This number can be called from any location nation-wide at any time for immediate assistance regarding poisoning.
For assistance in your area, you can select the appropriate location from one of the six regional poison control centers below:
Central Texas Poison Center
Scott & White Memorial Hospital
2401 South 31st Street
Temple, TX 76508
Emergency Phone: (800) 222-1222
Director: Douglas J. Borys, RPh, ABAT
Director Phone: (254) 724-7409
Health Education: Carolyn Insall, MS,T (ASCP) DLM
Health Educator Phone: (254) 724-7404
North Texas Poison Center
Texas Poison Center Network
Parkland Health & Hospital System
5201 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75235
Emergency Phone: (800) 222-1222
Director: Greene Shepherd, PharmD, DABAT
Director Phone: (214) 589-0910
Associate Director: William Les Huddleston, RPh, CSPI
Associate Director Phone: (214) 589-0912
Health Education: Mike Yudizky, BS, EMT-P; Paige Griesemer
Health Educator Phone: (214) 589-0915; (214) 589-0911
Southeast Texas Poison Center
The University of Texas Medical Branch
3.122 Trauma Building
Galveston, TX 77555-1175
Emergency Phone: (800) 222-1222
TDD/TYY: (800) 764-7661 (TX only)
Director: Michael D. Ellis, S, RPh, DABAT
Director Phone: (409) 766-4400
Health Education: Rondi Summers, BS
Health Educator Phone: (409) 766-4401
South Texas Poison Center
The University of Texas Health Science Center - San Antonio
7703 Floyd Curl Drive
San Antonio, TX 78229-3900
Emergency Phone: (800) 222-1222
TDD/TYY: (800)764-7661 (TX only)
Director: William A. Watson, PharmD, DABAT
Director Phone: (210) 567-1572
Health Education: Virginia Barrera-Garcia, MS
Health Educator Phone: (956) 365-8706
Texas Panhandle Poison Center
5101 S. Coulter
Amarillo, TX 79106
Emergency Phone: (800) 222-1222
Director: Shu Shum, D, FAAP, FACT
Director Phone: (806) 354-1630
Co-Managing Director: Mary Lou Nester, RN, CSPI
Co-Managing Director Phone: (806) 354-1611
Health Education: Ronica Farrar, EMT-P
Health Educator Phone: (806) 354-1630
West Texas Regional Poison Center
Thomason Hospital
4815 Alameda Avenue
El Paso, TX 79905
Emergency Phone: (800) 222-1222
Director: Leo Artalejo III, RPh
Director Phone: (915) 534-3801
Health Education: Emilio Saenz
Health Educator Phone: (915) 534-3802
FREE Goods and Services
In addition to the Poison Prevention Week Kit (see box, page 1), there are many other free resources available for programming and home use available just for the asking.
People Resources
One of the best assets offered is assistance in poison prevention programming from each regional poison control center. You can contact the health educator at your regional center to help with programming ideas, materials, and even to come out and help you with your local programming in person (note: type of program, number of participants attending, etc. will be a factor in the health educator's ability/decision to participate).
Another wonderful service provided by the people of the poison control centers, both nationally and regionally, is that each center and the (800) emergency line has pharmacists and nurses available to answer questions regarding health and safety of medications and other chemicals. For instance, the poison control center could be called to answer questions such as:
- What dosage of Tylenol, Motrin, or Advil should I give my child?
- I am having side effects from my medication, what should I do?
- Is it okay to take all three of these medications, or are there drug interaction issues?
- nurse and/or pharmacist is available to deal with these issues and address the safety needs and concerns of consumers.
Material Resources
There is also a vast array of written materials, free handouts and products for your use in programming. What follows is a list of many of these resources and how you can obtain them -- free of charge:
- To obtain the following resources, go to the website below and select your county for the appropriate order form: http://www.poisoncontrol.org/fem.htm
- Emergency Action cards, printed in English on one side and Spanish on the other.
- Poison HELP phone number magnets.
- Poison HELP phone number stickers to be placed on household telephones.
- Poison brochure with information on how your poison center can help you, poison prevention tips, and first aid for poisonings.
- To obtain the following resources, go to the website below and just print out the actual resources for your use (requires Adobe Reader for download): http://www.poisoncontrol.org/kidspage.htm
- Kids Coloring Book
- Kids Activity Sheets
- Go to http://www.poisoncontrol.org/poisonart1.htm to obtain informational articles/handouts pertaining to the following poison-related topics:
- Bites and Stings: Critters
- Food Poisoning
- Pesticides
- Seasonal Articles: Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall
- Carbon Monoxide: Mild Winter Still Poses Deadly Danger
- Lead Poisoning
- Know Your Plants
- Home Safety Checklist
Your regional poison control centers also offer a "database of exposures" that have occurred in Texas as well as in local regions and/or counties. This is an excellent resource for background information on the most common poison exposures in your area. Contact your regional poison control center for more information about your county.
For other brochures, flyers, and pamphlets, you can contact the following organizations (Note: Some of these resources can be accessed by going to the http://www.poisonprevention.org website, clicking on products, and clicking on the appropriate URL/website address.) (There are occasional fees associated with the number of resources requested, but 1 to 50 copies are most often free of charge):
- Tips on Child Safety (Contains facts on proper use and life-saving effectiveness of safety caps, advice on how to instill safety consciousness in preschoolers, and general home safety tips.) Produced by Closure Manufacturers Association. Send stamped, self-addressed, business-size envelope to Safety Tips, CMA, PO Box 1358, Kilmarnock, VA 22482; e-mail: cmadc@rivnet.net.
- Home Safe Home (Tips for parents on how to protect young children in the home environment. Spanish versions available.) Up to 100 copies free. Ask for information on larger orders. The Soap and Detergent Association, 1500 K Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005. Website: http://www.cleaning101.com.
- Ten Guides to Proper Medicine Use (A brochure describing steps for consumers to follow when buying and taking prescription and nonprescription medicines. Available in English and Spanish.) Up to 50 copies free; 10 cents per brochure for requests over 50. Council on Family Health, 1150 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 1200-B, Washington, D.C. 20036. Website: http://www.cfhinfo.org.
- Clean and Safe in the 21st Century (New in 2003. A guide that includes information on household cleaning product labels, safety and storage; hard surface cleaning; poison prevention and more. Appropriate for childcare and healthcare professionals, educators, and parents.) Up to 50 copies free. Ask for information on larger orders. The Soap and Detergent Association, 1500 K St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005. Website: http://www.cleaning101.com.
- Medicines and You: A Guide for Older Americans (Brochure to help older adults in taking their medicines. Includes a chart for seniors to keep track of the medicines they take. Available in English and Spanish.) Up to 50 copies free; 10 cents per brochure for requests over 50. Council on Family Health, 1150 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 1200-B, Washington, D.C. 20036. Website: http://www.cfhinfo.org.
- Over-the-Counter Medicines: What's Right For You? Offers consumers tips on reading the nonprescription, over-the-counter (OTC) medicine label, avoiding drug interactions, using OTCs when pregnant or nursing, dosing children, child-resistant and tamper-resistant packaging and more. Up to 100 copies free. Send requests to: Consumer Healthcare Products Association, Office of Public Affairs, 1150 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036. Website: http://www.chpa-info.org.
- Drug Interactions: What You Should Know (Brochure highlighting the three types of potential drug interactions and how to prevent them, the drug interaction warning signs to note and specific questions people should ask their physicians in order to avoid possible problems. Available in English or Spanish.) Up to 50 copies free; 10 cents per brochure for requests over 50. Council on Family Health, 1150 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 1200-B, Washington, D.C. 20036 Website: http://www.cfhinfo.org.
- Plants That Poison (An illustrated chart of common poisonous plants indicating size, toxic parts and symptoms of poisoning. Contains information on preventing plant poisoning and emergency measures.) Single copy free. Must send self addressed, stamped business envelope to: Bronson Hospital Poison Prevention, 601 John Street, Box 56 (Attn: Nancy), Kalamazoo, Ml 49007.
- Cleaning to Control Allergies and Asthma (A 28-page booklet recommending lifestyle strategies and cleaning practices that can help bring allergies and asthma under control. Focuses on using cleaning products safely and effectively to control allergens in the home.) Up to 100 copies free. Additional copies cost $15 per 100 copies. The Soap and Detergent Association, 1500 K Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005. Website: http://www.cleaning101.com.
- Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home (A booklet about the dangers of lead-based paint, how you can test the paint in your home for lead, and ways to reduce your exposure. Prepared by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency.) Single copy free. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207. Website: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/426.html or e-mail: Publications@cpsc.gov.
- What You Need to Know About the Safety of Art & Craft Materials (A twelve page booklet that answers commonly-asked questions about the safe use of materials.) Single copies free; quantities upon request. The Art and Creative Materials Institute, Inc., PO Box 479, Hanson, MA 02341; phone: 781-293-4100; FAX: 781-294-0808. Website: http://www.acminet.org.
- Pesticides and Child Safety (EPA #735-R-95-050R) (Contains tips on safeguarding children from accidental pesticide poisonings or exposures and important contact phone numbers on who to call if an accident occurs. Also available in Spanish.) Free copies available from the National Service Center for Environmental publications, P.O. Box 42419, Cincinnati, OH 45242-2419. 800-490-9198. Website: http://www.epa.gov/ncepihom/.
- Read the Label First! Protect Your Kids (EPA #740-F-00-001) A brochure about protecting children from exposure to household cleaners and pesticides. Free copies available from the National Service Center for Environmental Publications, P.O. Box 42419, Cincinnati, OH 45242-2419. 800-490-9198. Website: http://www.epa.gov/ncepihom/.
- Ten Tips to Protect Children from Pesticide and Lead Poisoning Around the Home (EPA #735-F-97-001) Free copies available from the National Service Center for Environmental Publications, P.O. Box 42419, Cincinnati, OH 45242-2419. 800-490-9198. Website: http://www.epa.gov/ncepihom/.
Poisons Don't Only Affect Children
Keep in mind that poisonings occur among both children and adults. Of particular concern are accidental poisonings among older adults. These poisonings often occur due to changes in eyesight which cause the older adult to mistake one product for another.
Here is an activity idea you may want to present in your poison prevention programming. This idea was developed by Marilyn Sebesta, County Extension Educator-FCS in Wharton County along with Extension professionals from Indiana and Colorado as noted below.
Look Alikes: As Older Adults See It -- Or Don't See It
(by Marilyn Sebesta, Wharton County Extension Agent)
Do older adults see things differently than other members of society? While their psychological vision is improved with their eyes of experience and wisdom, their physical vision is often a different story. Many older adults suffer from glaucoma, tunnel vision, cataracts (clouded corneas), macular degeneration (reduction of central vision), dulling or yellowing of colors, and floaters.
Choose one or several of the following options: Show eye glasses of a strong prescription strength, covered with petroleum jelly, covered with contact paper (e.g., cataracts); covered with yellow cellophane (e.g., color vision changes); covered with black contact paper with holes cut in it (e.g., macular degeneration); or covered with round or triangular shaped pieces of black and white contact paper (e.g., floaters). Have items from the "beware of look-alikes" list below. Ask participants to try on the glasses and attempt to accurately distinguish between the look-alikes.
Beware of Look-Alikes
Many items are packaged in similar containers. Some of these could be harmful if used correctly. Some examples of "Look-Alikes" are:
| 1. Motor Oil | Honey |
| 2. Parmesan Cheese | Comet Cleanser Silvex Cleanser |
| 3. Pine Sol Cleaner | Apple Juice Bottled Tea |
| 4. Cat Food | Tuna Fish |
| 5. Lemon Juice | Palmolive Dishwashing Detergent |
| 6. Chicklets Gum | Feen-a-mint |
| 7. Tums | Sweetarts Candy |
| 8. Prescription Pills | Hot Tamales Candy |
| 9. Sudafed Antihistamine | Red Hots Candy |
| 10. Creek Gravel | "Rock" Candy |
| 11. Moth Balls | Yogurt Covered Peanuts Gum Balls |
| 12. Correctol Laxative | Candy "Dots" or "Buttons" |
| 13. Ex-Lax | Chocolate Bar |
| 14. Ant Bait | Cornmeal |
| 15. Aquarium Plant Food | Aspirin |
| 16. Tylenol | Capsule-type Licorice Candy |
| 17. Windex | Scope Mouthwash |
| 18. Ben Gay | Colgate Toothpaste |
| 19. Aussie Mega Styling Hair Spray | Raid FleaKiller Woolite Fabric and Upholstery Cleaner |
| 20. Pepto Bismol | Pink Detergent VO5 Hair Conditioner Calamine Lotion |
| 21. Calgon Milk Bath | Sugar Twin |
| 22. D-Con | Candy Cake Decorations |
| 23. Hydrogen Peroxide | Diazinon Nestle Quick Chocolate Syrup |
| 24. Elmer's Glue | Ocean Nasal Spray |
| 25. Glue Stick | Lip Balm |
| 26. Schweppes Club Soda | Clear Choice Mouthwash Palmolive Sensitive Skin Dishwashing Liquid |
| 27. Right Guard Sport Deodorant | Combat Ant & Roach Killer |
| 28. Sand | Cinnamon Sugar |
| 29. Potpourri | Grape-Nuts Cereal |
| 30. Ammonia | Vinegar |
There are many other items in the stores that are "look-alikes." Children, persons who have poor eyesight, and anyone who cannot read may have difficulty telling these products apart.
CAUTION: If you have any of these items in your home, they should NEVER be stored near each other because of possible mix-ups. They should ALWAYS be stored out of the reach of children. REMEMBER: It is better to be safe than sorry, so Beware of "Look-alikes!"
Look-alikes activity prepared by: Allen County (Indiana) Family and Community Education, Health and Safety Committee; Laurel Kublin, Colorado State Cooperative Extension; Marilyn Sebesta, Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
For more information on the "look-alikes" activity, you can view it on the web at the http://fcs.tamu.edu "agents only" website. Access the activity by entering your user name and password information. Follow the links Family Life Education to Gerontology to Elder Health, where you will find the activity entitled "As Older Adults See It -- Or Don't See It" (you will need Adobe Reader to view and print the activity).
REMEMBER...
Poisons act fast -- help the members of your community to understand the importance of safe chemical and medicine storage; safe use of poisons; teaching children to ask; and teaching adults to know where to call in the event that a poisoning or potential poisoning has occurred. The resources referred to in this issue of HealthHints are available just for the asking, and prepared to help you help your community members stay safe from poisonings.
