Medication Safe - Dr. Ben Tsutaoka

Data analyzed from calls taken by the New York City Poison Control Center, provide yet more evidence that special attention needs to be taken to prevent poisonings. Medications, as the leading cause of childhood poisoning, are particularly concerning.

From the article:

In fact, poisoning is the third leading cause of hospitalizations for injury among children ages one to four. Each year, New York City’s Poison Control Center (PCC) receives approximately 4,000 calls reporting poisonings of children under the age of 15 serious enough to require referral to, or treatment by, a health care professional. An overwhelming 75% of these calls involve children younger than five.

These are among the findings of a new report by the New York City Health Department, “Unintentional Poisoning in New York City Children,” that analyzes PCC phone traffic from 2000 through 2007. Although many incidents of poisoning are managed at home, the new report focuses on child poisonings that require treatment at a health care facility.

“From prescription drugs to oven cleaner, common household products can be deadly in a child’s hands,” said Dr. Thomas Farley, New York City Health Commissioner. “Even a relatively low dose of an otherwise harmless substance can cause serious injury. Storing household chemicals and medications where children can’t get to them, carefully following medication dose instructions, and storing all hazardous products in child-resistant containers are three ways parents can help protect their young children from potential poisoning.”

Medications are leading cause of childhood poisoning

Medications, including both prescription and non-prescription drugs, are the leading cause of poisoning in young children, accounting for nearly half of all PCC cases. Household cleaning products and pest control chemicals follow at 21%. The remaining poisoning calls received by the PCC usually involve cosmetics, vitamins and dietary supplements.

The full article can be found here:
http://www.emaxhealth.com/2/50/32831/most-unintentional-childhood-poisonings-occur-home.html

We came across an internet site with some recommendations regarding “First Aid for Poisoning”.

The recommendations included:

1. Find the container. Identifying the poison is the first step in selecting the right antidote.

2. Call the nearest doctor, giving him all the details as clearly as possible.

3. Rush the victim to hospital if you are close enough. Take the poison along with you in its original container, so the doctor will know what antidote to use.

4. UNIVERSAL ANTIDOTE: Neutralize the poison if you know whtat it is. If you don’t  here is the universal antidote:

• Wood charcoal, 2 parts (burned toast may be substitute)
• Milk of magnesia, 1 part
• Tannic Acid, 1 part (strong tea)
• Gave 1 teasponful of a glass of water.

5. Induce vomiting. Lay the child your kness with his head down, and place your fingers at the back of his throught to induce vomiting. For an older child or adult, give one or two glasses of milk or white of an egg. Use water if nothing else is handy. A teasponful of salt added to the water will increase the tendency to vomit.

Some advice out there, may do more HARM than good. There is little in the above recommendations that we would agree with. If you think your child, yourself, or someone you know, may have touched, tasted or breathed something that may be harmful: DON’T GUESS. BE SURE.

Call your poison control center for advice. Poison Control Centers can be reached by calling 1-800-222-1222.