LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — With National Poison Prevention Week around the corner, Michigan Health Officials are encouraging residents to take steps to prevent poisoning in their homes.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is teaming up with the Michigan Poison Center to raise awareness of this special week which takes place March 21st through the 27th.
According to health officials, more than 2 million poisonings are reported each year to the nation’s poison centers, with about 90% of them occurring at home.
Last year in Michigan, 58 percent of adult Poison Control Center calls were managed at home without requiring medical intervention and 80 percent of pediatric calls were kept out of the emergency department.
MDHHS recommends the following measures to reduce the risk of poisonings:
Keep all chemicals, including medications, out of the reach of children and keep them in their original containers.
Carefully read the labels and dosages on all products before using.
Keep products in their original containers.
Do not mix chemicals.
Have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home.
Program the National Poison Control number in your phone: 800-222-1222.
In the event of a poison emergency, contact the Michigan Poison Center at 800-222-1222 and a poison expert will tell you exactly what to do.
If someone is unconscious or has trouble breathing, call 911 immediately.
