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MDHHS highlights National Poison Prevention Week
March 21, 2017
For Immediate Release: March 21, 2017
LANSING, Mich. – Last year, the Michigan Regional Poison Control Center responded to 72,910 calls related to potential poisonings including 66,021 calls involving human exposure. To raise awareness around the dangers of potentially poisonous medicines and chemicals, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is joining Michigan Regional Poison Control Center in recognizing National Poison Prevention Week.
More than 2 million poisonings are reported each year to the nation’s poison centers. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, approximately 90 percent of poisonings happen at home, and 51 percent of poisonings involve children younger than the age of six. The majority of fatal poisonings occur among adults, especially older adults.
“By educating Michigan residents about preventative measures they can take, we can make serious progress in keeping our environments and loved ones safe,” said MDHHS Director Nick Lyon. “It’s vital that people arm themselves with basic information on poison prevention in the home.”
Residents should follow preventative measures to reduce the risk of poisonings, including:
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Keep all chemicals out of the reach of children
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Carefully read the labels and dosages on all products
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Keep products in their original containers
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Have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home
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Do not eat or drink while using art products
In Michigan, 60 percent of the calls received by the Michigan Regional Poison Control Center involve children younger than 19 years of age. Of those pediatric calls, more than 80 percent were helped to avoid emergency department visits.
To learn more about ways to keep people of all ages safe and help prevent poisonings, visit the Poison Help Web site at http://www.poisonhelp.hrsa.gov/, or to view materials in Spanish, visit http://www.poisonhelpespanol.hrsa.gov/.
In the event of a poison emergency, contact your local poison center at 1-800-222-1222. If someone is unconscious or has trouble breathing, call 911 immediately.
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