POISON PREVENTION AWARENESS
By Justin Haagen
on May 11, 2022
According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), 55 poison centers across the country field millions of calls each year. Many calls are related to individuals encountering dangerous or potentially dangerous substances. However, poison control centers regularly provide general information and answer poison-related questions even if the call isn’t about an immediate concern.
People often picture young children when thinking about the risk of accidental poisonings. But poisonings can happen to anyone, including teens, adults and older adults.
The most common poison exposures based on AAPCC data includes:
- Young children – Cosmetics and personal care products, household cleaners and pain medicines
- Tweens and teens – Pain medicines, antidepressants, foreign bodies and toys (ages 6 to 12)
- Adults – Pain medicines, sleep medicines and anxiety/mood medicines, antidepressants
- Older adults – Heart medicines, pain medicine, sleep medicines and anxiety/mood medicines
Other common exposures include household products, plants, mushrooms, pesticides, bites and stings, and carbon monoxide.
If you suspect a poisoning or need general assistance, don’t hesitate to call the Poison Help Hotline at 1-800-222-1222.
Open enrollment classes held several times each week, so it is easy to have staff stay compliant and remain certified with the convenience of open enrollment classes.