Medication Safe - Dr. Ben Tsutaoka

The following  information is part of a press release from the Home Safety Council.

The entire press release can be found here:

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/new-home-safety-councilr-research-shows-the-majority-of-families,301941.shtml 

WASHINGTON, March 4, 2008 /PRNewswire/ — According to the national nonprofit, Home Safety Council, accidental poisoning is the second leading cause of home injury death in the United States. Yet, a new survey by the Council found that only one percent of U.S. adults ranked poisoning at the top of the list when asked to identify their leading home safety concern, proving the need for aggressive home poisoning prevention education.

The nationwide Safe Haven survey was commissioned by the Home Safety Council to gauge the public’s perceptions and actions related to the top home injury dangers. Poison-related findings also show that less that one-fifth (18 percent) of U.S. adults have put safety locks on cabinets or have posted the Poison Control Help number near phones — two of the key actions recommended by the Home Safety Council to reduce the risk and severity of poisoning injuries.

“Perhaps the most important finding from the Safe Haven research is that parents and other caregivers aren’t doing nearly enough to protect themselves and their families from serious home poison dangers,” said Dr. Angela Mickalide, Director of Education and Outreach for the Home Safety Council. “Poison Prevention Month is a helpful reminder for all of us to take action against this major health problem.”

The most critical actions the Home Safety Council recommends taking now are to: read product labels and lock away those with the words “Caution,” “Warning,” or “Danger” on the label; keep dangerous products away from food and drinks; properly use and maintain fueled appliances; install a Carbon Monoxide alarm near sleeping areas; and put the Poison Control Help number (1-800-222-1222) and other emergency numbers next to every phone and store them in cell phones directories.

About Home Safety Council

The Home Safety Council (HSC) is the only national non-profit organization solely dedicated to preventing home-related injuries that result in nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits on average each year. Through national programs, partnerships and the support of volunteers, HSC educates people of all ages to be safer in and around their homes. The Home Safety Council is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization located in Washington, DC.

Contact: Valerie Pope Brand Resources Group, Inc. 703-739-8344 Home Safety Council