Palmetto Poison Center warns of danger

Wrapping up National Poison Prevention Week, the Palmetto Poison Center reminds everyone to stay vigilant about medicine use and abuse.

Each year more than two million calls are received at poison centers nationwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control, poisoning is the No. 1 cause of injury-related deaths in the United States with most of these deaths due to drug and medicine misuse and abuse.

The Palmetto Poison Center serves all counties in South Carolina, and each year, over half of the approximately 30,000 calls received in the state are for exposures in children under the age of six.

Parents and caregivers can prevent unintentional poisonings by using child resistant packaging and keeping medicines and household products locked up and out of sight of children. Often new parents and caregivers, who are not accustomed to having small children in the home, are unaware of the dangers presented by everyday household products.

• Parents and caregivers should follow these basic poison prevention tips to reduce the risk of unintentional poisonings:
• - Keep all household products and medicines locked up and out of sight and reach.
• - Use child-resistant packaging properly by closing the container securely after use.
• - Keep any product in sight when it is being taken. Walking away from it only briefly can lead to an exposure.
• - Keep all items in their original containers.
• - Read the label before using any product or medicine.
• - Avoid taking medicine in front of children, as they may imitate adults.

Call 1-800-222-1222 for free, confidential information 24 hours a day. For more information, visit the Palmetto Poison Center website.