National Poison Prevention Week

From the PAC Wellness Committee:

Spring Break is the perfect time of year to begin spring cleaning! Included in that category is spring cleaning your house of poisons…This year’s National Poison Prevention Week is March 15 – 21, 2009 and the themes are “Children Act Fast, So Do Poisons,” and “Poisoning Spans a Lifetime.”

More than 2 million poisonings are reported each year to the 61 Poison Centers across the United States. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, approximately 90 percent of poisonings happen at home, and over 50 percent of poisoning exposures involve children under the age of 6. The majority of fatal poisonings occur among adults, especially older adults.

Since 1961, the third week in March has been designated National Poison Prevention Week, focusing national attention on the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them. Established by the U.S. Congress, National Poison Prevention Week is commissioned by the National Poison Prevention Week Council, an organization made up of public and private partners who are committed to reducing unintentional poisonings and promoting poison prevention.

Almost 90 percent of the public who call a local Poison Center get the help they need over the telephone without having to go to a doctor or the hospital.
To learn more about ways to help prevent poisonings, visit www.PoisonHelp.hrsa.gov
In case of an emergency, individuals can contact the Poison Help number, 1-800-222-1222.

For more information call your Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 or visit www.PoisonHelp.hrsa.gov and www.aapcc.org PoisonHelp

Live Well,

Anna Bustamante, M.Ed., ABD
Chairperson/Assistant Professor
Department of Kinesiology & Health
Palo Alto College
1400 W. Villaret Blvd.
San Antonio, TX 78224-2499
(210) 486-3165
(210) 486-3161