JOHNSTON COUNTY — In observance of National Poison Prevention Week (March 16-22), Safe Kids Johnston County is providing tips to help parents keep children safe from household products that, while necessary and useful, can pose poisoning risks. Poisoning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death among children ages 1 to 19.
Jennifer Williams, Safe Kids Coordinator, said, “We are thrilled to provide guidance to parents and caregivers on safely storing household products. By adopting straightforward storage practices, we can greatly reduce the risk of accidental poisoning and create a safer environment for our children.”
Safe Kids Johnston County is sharing the following tips families can use to keep their kids safe:
1. Children are often eye-level with items on counters and under sinks, so keep all medicine and cleaning supplies out of reach and sight. They often find medicine kept in purses, backpacks, and other bags. Keep these items on high shelves or hang them on hooks to keep young explorers safe.
2. Think beyond prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Health products such as vitamins, diaper rash creams, and eye drops can be harmful to children, and small lithium batteries can be lethal if swallowed. Store these items out of reach and consider using duct tape to keep remote battery compartments closed.
3. Keep household products in their original containers and store them according to the label. Kids can get into things quickly, so remember not to leave medicine, cleaning products, or laundry packets unattended.
4. Make sure your home has a carbon monoxide alarm. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, so it’s important to install one on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas.
5. Save the Poison Help number in your phone and post it visibly at home: 1-800-222-1222. Specialists at poison control centers provide free, confidential, expert medical advice 24 hours a day. They can answer questions and help with poison emergencies.
Safe Kids Johnston County is a collaboration of agencies and individuals committed to reducing preventable childhood injuries. They strive to create a community where every child is safe from unintentional injuries by increasing awareness and providing education to families. Safe Kids Johnston County is led by the Partnership for Children of Johnston County and is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network focused on preventing death and injury to children.
