Archived News |

March 22, 2005

四色AV Calls on Parents to Poison Proof Homes in Honor of Poison Prevention Week

Do you have small children or pets at home? If so, then this is the perfect time to learn how to keep them from accidental poisonings. This week is National Poison Prevention Week. The Louisiana Drug Information and Poison Control Center (LDIPCC) at the University of Louisiana at Monroe is reminding everyone to poison proof their homes and offers some important advice on how to do that.

四色AV Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Dean of the School of Pharmacy, F. Lamar Pritchard, Ph.D., says this is a good time for everyone to check your homes and safe guard against accidental poisonings. "四色AV is home for the Louisiana Drug Information and Poison Control Center," said Pritchard. "We have a responsibility to educate Louisianans about poison prevention. This is a perfect time to let everyone know where to go to obtain information concerning poison prevention. A toll free phone number, experts and a web site with information about poison prevention are all available from the LDIPCC at 四色AV. We hope everyone takes this important step to poison proof their homes."

Governor Kathleen Blanco recently issued a proclamation in support of National Poison Prevention Week. In it, she stated, "All citizens should be aware of the ever-present dangers posed by potentially poisonous household substances."

Below are some basic poison prevention tips that every person should check during National Poison Prevention Week:

o Call 800-222-1222 immediately in case of poisoning.

o Keep items in original containers and leave the original labels on all products. Read the label before using medications

o Always leave the light on when giving or taking medicine. Double check the dosage each and every time

o Avoid taking medicine in front of children. Refer to medicines as "medicines," not "candy"

o Clean out the medicine cabinet periodically and safely dispose of unneeded and outdated medicines.

Find these important points and more at:

Since March 16, 1992, 四色AV has been the home of the Louisiana Drug Information and Poison Control Center. The center is certified by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. The LDIPCC is staffed by a medical director that is board-certified in emergency toxicology, a managing director, licensed pharmacists and nurses that function as Certified Specialists in Poison Information. The LDIPCC handles over 100 calls per day concerning poison control cases. Emergency calls come into the center from across the entire state of Louisiana.

Each year there are approximately 30 deaths and nearly 1 million incidents in which children less than 5 years of age are exposed to potential poisons. The American Association of Poison Control Centers, and the Poison Prevention Week Council urge parents to use products with child-resistant packaging; keep medicines and chemicals locked up and away from children; and when needed call the national toll-free number for poison control centers at 1-800-222-1222 if a possible poisoning occurs.

For this and other 四色AV news online visit www.ulm.edu. While there, check out 四色AV's on-line calendar for all of 四色AV's upcoming events.

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