Michigan Ag Connection - Take Steps to Prevent Poisonings at Home

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Take Steps to Prevent Poisonings at Home
Michigan Ag Connection - 03/20/2018

Last year, the Michigan Regional Poison Control Center responded to 70,000 calls related to potential poisonings. To raise awareness around the dangers of potentially poisonous medicines and chemicals, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is joining the Michigan Regional Poison Control Center in recognizing National Poison Prevention Week.

More than 2 million poisonings are reported each year to the nation's poison centers. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, approximately 90 percent of poisonings happen at home and 51 percent of poisonings involve children younger than the age of six. The majority of fatal poisonings occur among adults, especially older adults.

"By educating Michigan residents about preventative measures they can take, we can help keep our environments and loved ones safe," said MDHHS Director Nick Lyon. "It's vital people are aware of poison prevention best practices in the home in order to keep themselves and their loved ones safe."

Residents should follow preventative measures to reduce the risk of poisonings, including:

- Keep all chemicals, including medications, out of the reach of children.

- Carefully read the labels and dosages on all products before using.

- Keep products in their original containers.

- Do not mix chemicals.

- Have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home.

In Michigan, 60 percent of the calls received by the Michigan Regional Poison Control Center involve children younger than 19 years of age. Of those pediatric calls, more than 70 percent helped to avoid emergency department visits.

To learn more about ways to keep people of all ages safe and help prevent poisonings, visit the Poison Help Web site at PoisonHelp.hrsa.gov. To view materials in Spanish, visit PoisonHelpEspanol.hrsa.gov.

In the event of a poison emergency, contact the Michigan Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222. If someone is unconscious or has trouble breathing, call 911 immediately.

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