Archive for June, 2009

ASK THE EXPERT: Prevent accidental poisonings with medications

Here are some good medication safety tips from Brian Wolfe, Pharm.D., BCPS who is the inpatient clinical pharmacy coordinator at Ball Memorial Hospital. The article was originally posted online by thestarpress.com on June 22, 2009.

The full article can be found here: http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20090622/LIFESTYLE/906220304.

Are there any special precautions I should take with my children’s medicines?

ASHP recommends following these five tips:

  • Use original child-resistant containers. Use child-resistant closures on medicines and other products and always keep all medications (both prescription, nonprescription, and dietary supplements) in their original child-resistant containers.

  • Always call medicine “medicine.” Avoid calling medicine “candy” in order to get your child to take the medicine.

  • Check your medicines periodically for expiration dates. If a medication is not dated, consider it expired six months after purchase.

  • Avoid putting medicines in open trash containers. This is especially important in the kitchen or bathroom because many adult medications can be deadly to small children. Instead, discard unused or unwanted medications in an unneeded sealed container mixed with coffee grounds or other wastes.

  • Keep medications secure. Keep all medicines, including OTC’s, herbals, vitamins, and supplements, out of reach of children, or in a locked cabinet.

    How do I contact a poison control center if I am concerned?

    You can call (800) 222-1222 to reach any poison control center in the United States for information about poisons and medications or what to do in an emergency. If you suspect poisoning, you should always call 911. This telephone number should be posted visibly in your home.

    Are there any other good sources of information online?

    Medication tips and information on using medicine safely can be found on ASHP’s consumer Web site, www.SafeMedication.com or www.poisonprevention.org.

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    admin on June 26th 2009 in News Stories

    Home Safety Council(R) Unveils National Research and a New, Interactive Web Site to Kick-Off Home Safety Month

     From the PRNewswire, June 4 2009

    The entire press release can be found here: http://sev.prnewswire.com/null/20090604/PH2747104062009-1.html

    Annual Hands on Home Safety Campaign Encourages Families to Take Action to Protect Against the Leading Causes of Accidental Home Injury

    Just in time for Home Safety Month in June, the national, nonprofit Home Safety Council (HSC) has launched a new, interactive and consumer-friendly Web site — HomeSafetyCouncil.org — and is debuting results of a national survey that reveal the root of the home accident problem.

    Parents and caregivers need to take greater action in order to reduce the nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits that result from home injuries on average each year. The Home Safety Council’s annual Hands on Home Safety campaign calls on families to take steps to prevent the leading causes of accidental home injury: falls, poisoning, fires/burns, drowning, and choking/suffocation. The new Web site offers simple and easy tips caregivers can follow to keep loved ones of all ages safe at home.

    “Our research shows that most parents and other caregivers lack the basic information they need to make their homes safer for themselves and their loved ones,” said Meri-K Appy, Home Safety Council president. “So, we designed our new Web site to bridge that gap, using targeted information for all stages of life. This helps caregivers hone in on the dangers most relevant to their own families. And, we break home safety into simple, illustrated and easy-to-understand steps so everyone can understand what to do to reduce injury risks.”

    Prevent Poisoning

    Poisoning is the second leading cause of home injury, yet 40 percent of parents surveyed report that they do not store medications in high cabinets that are secured with safety locks. And only half of the parents surveyed have installed a carbon monoxide detector to protect against the invisible and deadly gas.

    The Home Safety Council recommends the following steps to protect against poisonings:

    • Read the warning label before using potentially poisonous products.
    • If you see the words “Caution”, “Warning”, “Danger”, “Poison” or “Keep Out of Reach of Children”, lock these items in a place where children can’t reach them.
    • Use medications carefully. Follow the directions.
    • Install carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas.
    • Call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 if you need help or want information about poisons.
    • Call 9-1-1 if someone needs to go to the hospital right away.

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    admin on June 6th 2009 in News Stories