Poison Prevention Week Begins March 15

With National Poison Prevention Week set to kick off on March 15, the Pittsburgh Poison Center is offering tips to help avoid accidental poisoning. Over 2.5 million poisonings are reported each year across the United States with about half occurring in children under the age of six. Ed Krenzelok, Director of the Pittsburgh Poison Center, says adults are at risk as well and offers the following tips:

-Everything can be a potential poison, so keep all medication, household cleaning products, and automotive products out of the reach of children.

-Favor medication bottles with child resistant lids.

-Though children are the most susceptible to poisoning, senior citizens are most at risk for poisoning deaths. Utilize a labeled pillcase with the days of the week and time of day written on it to prevent accidental overdose, but be sure to keep these cases out of the reach of children as many are not child resistant.

-Teach children the risks of poison and label harmful products with Mr. Yuk stickers to signify their danger. Stickers can be obtained on the web at www.upmc/mryuk.

-Finally, keep the poison center phone number available in case of emergency. That number is 1-800-222-1222.

The Pittsburgh Poison Center answers calls 24-7 regarding any type of poison emergency.