Poison Prevention
Poisoning – particularly from overdoses of over-the-counter, prescription and illicit drugs – has surpassed falls to become the nation’s second-leading cause of unintentional death, after motor-vehicle collisions. 300 children are treated in an emergency department daily in the United States. It is also the leading cause of unintentional deaths in adults aged 25-64. Poisoning is the fastest-rising cause of accidental death in the United States.
Source: CDC.GOV and the National Safety Council's Injury Facts Publication 2015 ed.
Each year, over 50,000 calls are received by the Utah Poison Control Center. On average, the Center receives about 145 calls per day regarding suspected or actual human exposure to poison. More than 60% of the exposures involve children less than six years of age. A recent report from Safe Kids Worldwide publlished March 30, 2016 states that: Medicine poisonings send the equivalent of four busloads of children to the emergency department every day. Parents must take extra precautions to protect their children from ingesting medicine, the organization says. – Read More
Fact vs. Myth
Many Americans still believe that children are at greatest risk for poisoning. Every year in the U.S., nearly 2.5 million poison exposures are reported. Children and youth under age 19 represent 66 percent of exposures and adults over age 19 represent 34 percent of exposures, yet adults account for 91 percent of all poisoning deaths.
Poisoning and Children
While children rarely die today from unintentional poisoning, non-fatal poisonings remain a childhood concern. About 50,000 children under the age of 4 are injured by unintentional poisonings every year. This is a testament to the success of national awareness efforts, such as poison prevention campaigns and child-resistant packaging. For poisonings that can be safely handled at home, call the nationwide Poison Control Center 800.222.1222. For all other emergencies call 9-1-1 immediately.
Prevent a tragedy from happening to any loved one or acquaintance with these safety fact sheets:
Visit the Utah Poison Control Centers website here.
.jpg)
