Make Your Child Care Poison Safe

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Make Your Child Care Poison Safe

• University of Tennessee
• Extension Service
• Child Care Training 2004

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Poisoning Facts

• Poisonings are the major cause of death among
  young children
• At least a million times a year, children are
  accidently poisoned in the US
• Children 1-3 are at the highest risk for
  poisoning
• 90 of accidental poisonings occur in the home
• Children act fast

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Questions to answer

• What is a poison???
• What is the most common cause of unintentional
  poisonings among children?
• What are some dangerous poisons?

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What are two critical things to keep children
safe?

• Store poisonous products safely
• Use poisonous products safely

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Storing poison products safely includes

• Lock poisonous products and medicines out of
  reach and sight of children
• Store products in their original containers.
• Keep medicines, vitamins/minerals supplements,
  herbal supplements and household products in
  containers with child resistant caps.

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Using products safely includes

• Read the label of any poisonous products and use
  as directed.
• Never leave children alone with any poisonous
  product.
• After using a poisonous product, put it back in a
  locked cabinet.

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Using products safely includes

• Be aware that no product is child-proof.
• Never call medicine candy.
• Dont take or give medicine in front of children
  or while another child is watching.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors if you heat
  with gas, oil, kerosene or wood.

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Using products safely includes

• If your facility was built before 1978, test for
  lead-based paint.
• Store potentially harmful products and
  medications out of sight and out of reach.
• Be prepared. Learn the number for the Poison
  Control Center, 1-800-222-1222.

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Medicine or Candy?
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Medicine and MMs
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Good or Bad?
Pink bubble gum Brown chow mein
noodles Green d-Con Mouse-Prufe II
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Are All Containers Alike?
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All Containers Are Not Alike
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If you suspect poisoning

• Call the poison control center first before 911
  or emergency room. Remember children act fast
  and so do poisons.
• Dont panic. Not all substances are poisonous
  and not all exposures cause poisonings.
• Dont treat the poison until youve talked to the
  Poison Control Center.

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When you call the Poison Control Center, have
this information ready

• Childs condition
• Name of products and ingredients
• How much product was taken
• Time poisoning happened
• Age and weight of poisoned child
• Your name and phone number

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Ipecac Syrup

• It is now time to remove ipecac syrup from first
  aid kits
• Get health professional advice before using
  ipecac syrup - determine if needed or if too
  dangerous to use
• Ipecac syrup use has declined greatly in the past
  5 years
• Other treatments at a hospital may be more
  effective if needed
• Making someone vomit may delay more effective
  treatment

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Nationwide Number to Reach a PoisonControl
Center
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Credits and Sponsors
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

• Funded in part by the following
• US Health Resources Services Administration
• Tennessee Department of Health

Health Education in Rural Communities Using
Laptops for Educational Sessions Funded in part
by a USDA Rural Utilities Services Grant, 2003