
Learn how to protect yourself and your family from potential poisoning risks during Poison Prevention Week.
This week is National Poison Prevention Week. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that poisoning is now the leading cause of death from injuries in the United States. A poison is classified as any substance that can harm someone if used in the wrong way, by the wrong person or in the wrong amount. Since more people die from poisoning each year than motor vehicle accidents and other causes, LA Medical thought it was important to address poison prevention so we can help reduce the death and injuries in the United States. Many of our customers take a number of medications for various reasons. While medicines are made to help us, they can also bring us harm if precautions are not taken.
The following tips can protect you and your family from poisoning:
- Read medication labels before each use and follow the directions exactly.
- Install safety latches on cabinets that contain medicines and household products.
- Keep the toll-free Poison Help number, 1-800-222-1222, near your phone.
- Buy products with child-resistant packaging when possible
- Always turn on lights when giving or taking medications. Be sure to check the proper dosage each time.
- Put on glasses to read labels when you are taking medicines
- Clean out the medicine cabinet periodically
- Only use the cup, syringe or dropper that is given with your medicine
- Keep medicines in their original containers whenever possible. If you use a pill organizer, store it in a place that is too high for a child to reach or see.
- Always talk to your doctor before starting a new supplement or herb, as these can interfere with medications
Use Poison Prevention Week as a time to educate yourself and your loved ones on how to prevent poisoning with medications. Be mindful when dealing with prescriptions to be sure that you are taking the right dosage of the correct medicine at the proper time. Contact LA Medical with any health-related questions or concerns.