CHARLESTON (Hinton News) – Homes hold cozy and wonderful memories during the holidays, especially when families gather from near and far. But could your home be a danger for young children who are coming to visit? With some simple poison safety tips from the West Virginia Poison Center, your home can be a safe place for all the people you love.
Put dangers up and away: keep children away from your home’s most dangerous products by putting all potential dangers up and away. Be sure to child-proof places common potential poisons, like household cleaners, are kept.
If you don’t use it, lose it: If you have products you don’t regularly use in your home, such as expired medication or cleaning supplies, consider properly disposing of them. If dangerous products are not in your home, a loved one cannot get into them.
Don’t keep medicine out: Do not keep any medications (prescription, over the counter, vitamins or herbals) out. It is extremely important to make sure all medicines are up high and out of reach of children. If you are visiting a home during the holidays, immediately put all medications from your purse or luggage up and away.
Childproofing is not fool proof: Even with childproofing, children are quick, and accidents happen. Consider putting the West Virginia Poison Center’s number (1-800-222-1222) in a quick to reach spot and into your cell phone before you need it.
Poisoned? Not sure? Call the West Virginia Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. Medical experts at the West Virginia Poison Center are available 24/7, even during the holidays, to answer calls about poison emergencies and poison questions.
The West Virginia Poison Center provides comprehensive emergency poison information, prevention and educational resources to West Virginians 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The WVPC is staffed by nurses, pharmacists and physicians with special training in treatment of poisonings. Located in Charleston, WV, the WVPC is a part of the West Virginia University-Charleston Division. Toll-free:1-800-222-1222. Website:www.wvpoisoncenter.org.
