Smart Parents, Safe Kids Poison Prevention 1 What is Poisoning? Primary Causes Role of Poison Control Center Safety Tips

Safe Kids Research: 2 What’s the Problem?

3 Only 4 percent of parents expressed concern about poisoning, which is surprising, given that Poison Control Centers answer more than one million calls a year about children 5 and under who have gotten into medicine or other dangerous products. We learned that 3 in 10 parents with a toddler keep medicines and cleaning products on a low shelf or in an unlocked cabinet. In a separate study, Safe Kids found that more grandparents identified electrical outlets as a top safety issue than medicine, but 36 times more children go to the emergency department for medicine poisoning.separate study What Do Parents Think?

The California Poison Control System (CPCS) Provides immediate, free and expert treatment advice and referral over the telephone in case of exposure to poisonous or toxic substances

Immediate free treatment advice over the phone –Calls from the public –Calls from hospitals & medical professionals –Calls from Emergency Medical Services dispatchers –Police and Fire Available 24/7 Interpreting service for over 100 languages

Who Answers the phone? Clinical Pharmacists Physicians Registered Nurses Poison Information Providers

Questions asked by Poison Control Center staff Name of substance and label ingredients Amount involved When exposure occurred Any symptoms or reactions Age and weight of person exposed Phone number for follow-up call

Here’s what happens when you call

When Should I Call? Call when poisoning is suspected: Minor symptoms No symptoms–Our medical staff can give you treatment advice or answer questions on any poisoning topic Call 911 if the following life-threatening symptoms occur: Seizures Unconsciousness Difficulty breathing

Poison Help Line Public service of the California Poison Control System Toll-Free phone number in California Parents receive immediate treatment advice from a poison expert Parents are encouraged to call for poison emergencies and for questions during uncertain situations Don’t Guess. Be Sure. Call anytime you are not sure!

On average the California Poison Control System receives 330,000 calls per year 51% occurred in children under 6 years. 94% occurred in the home. 78% were managed at home over the phone with help from one of our experts 25% are information calls

*Source: California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, Inpatient Discharge Data 2012 Non-Fatal Hospitalizations from Unintentional Injuries in Children 0-5: California

0-5 year-olds: Develop new abilities every day (grasping, grabbing, reaching, climbing) Put things in their mouth Don’t always learn from experience Imitate adults Taste and smell not fully developed

From a Child’s Point of View Standing at about 2 feet high or less Exploring their environment Curious to touch and taste items they can reach in the: Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Living Room

When adults are distracted while using a product Around dinner time– Poison Control Centers get most of their calls between 4-10 pm

Hair Color, Window Spray, Vitamins - Dangerous?

Mixing Cleaners Mixing Cleaners is Dangerous!

Medicines

Medicines are the leading cause of serious and sometimes fatal poison ingestions Medicines and vitamins often look like candy to children Children like to imitate adults when they see them taking medicines Adults mistakenly call medicine “candy” to get children to take real medicine Medicines Children and Medicines

How effective is child-resistant packaging? Child-resistant Packaging Right click to view video.

Poisonous Plants Nicotiana Pothos Oleander Heliotrope Foxglov e Poison Oak Jimson Weed Azalea

Poisonous Plants DieffenbachiaAgapanthus Peace Lily Castor Bean Daffodil Delphinium Angel ’ s Trumpet Calla Lily

Food Poisoning Common causes –improper cooking –improper storage of foods –poor hygieneCommon symptoms –vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain –usually starts within few hours

Insect Bites/Pests Use bug spray or lotion with DEET Don’t leave food, drink and garbage out Avoid perfumes and colognes If allergic, ask your doctor what to do in case of emergency What’s the best way to prevent insect bites that can be poisonous?

Snakes Snakes live everywhere in California Most are not poisonous, but the rattlesnake is. How do you prevent snakebites: Always wear shoes and stay on paths when hiking Stay away from piles of rocks and wood If you see snakes, keep a safe distance

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless odorless gas undetectable to the human senses Malfunctioning fuel- burning appliances Symptoms range from headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness to confusion, vomiting, loss of muscular coordination and loss of consciousness Carbon monoxide poisoning can be of slow or swift onset depending on the circumstances-but it is deadly!

Get rid of old Medicines Safely Do not keep old medicine in the house, throw it out, but... Do not flush medicine down the toilet! Throw it out by dissolving it into water and pouring it into coffee grounds, cat litter or sand Right click to view videoRight click to view video.

Laundry Detergent Pods AAPCC has reported 25,653 cases since /3 involved kids under 3 80% involved children swallowing the pods 700 kids required hospitalization 1 fatality Eye injuries, coma and seizures Right click to view video

Button Battery Dangers Right click to view video.

Liquid Nicotine for E- Cigarettes Liquid nicotine for sale by the vial, gallon or barrel Tiny amounts can cause vomiting and seizures Not regulated by the FDA Foreign retailers sell unregulated concentrations of purity and nicotine Increase in calls to PCC by 300% from 2012

Top Safety Tips * Keep medicines, personal care, and cleaning products out of children’s reach and in locked in cabinets * Keep products in their original containers * When distracted while using products, do not leave children alone with product container nearby * Know the names of your plants and don’t guess.

Always Be Prepared to Call The Poison Help Line Don’t Guess. Be Sure. Keep the Poison Help Line number near every phone If you suspect a poisoning, call the Poison Help Line first. Right click to view video.

Can you tell the difference between pills and candy? Download the app by searching ‘Choose your Poison; in iTunes or Google Play

Text “TIPS” or “AVISOS” to DOWNLOAD the Pills vs. Candy Game App for iPhones and Android by SEARCHING “Choose your Poison” Home and Safety Text Messages to your Cell PhoneCell Phone

Text “SURVEYS” or “ENCUESTAS” to Respond “YES/NO” if you are a CHW/Health Provider Take the Survey! Surveys via Text Message* *This only works with smartphones

Health Education Materials

Pesticide Safety

QUESTIONS? Katie Smith Safe Kids California