Poison Prevention Week March 19 - 25 - Washington State Department of Health

Poison Prevention Week
March 19 - 25

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For poisoning emergencies,
call the Washington Poison Center, 1-800-222-1222

Injuries from poisoning are the second leading cause of injury hospitalization for Washington children 0-17 years old. Poisoning injuries among this group account for an annual average of:

9 deaths
465 hospitalizations
About 3,490 visits to a hospital emergency department

The majority of hospitalizations from poisoning were self-inflicted. Most of the deaths from poisoning in Washington children were caused by either someone else?s prescription medication (32 percent), over the counter medication (26 percent), or an illegal drug (26 percent).

The Washington Poison Center recommends ways to be poison cautious:

Obtain syrup of ipecac and keep it in your home ? but use it ONLY if instructed to do so by a poison center or physician

Use child-resistant containers and remember, they are not childproof

Keep products in their original containers

Never call medicine candy or take it in the dark

Return products to storage areas immediately after use

Teach children about Mr. Yuk

Put Mr. Yuk stickers on all poisonous products

Keep emergency numbers next to your phone ? 1-800-222-1222

Call the Poison Center for a free information packet and Mr. Yuk stickers

Explore this website for more information on poison safety and poison hazards

More information about poison prevention and directions to order Mr. Yuk stickers is available on the Washington Poison Center Web site.

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Washington State Department of Health
101 Israel Rd SE, P.O. Box 47890
Olympia, Washington, 98504-7890

Last Update : 01/08/2010 02:14 PM
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