Protecting Our Children from Poisoning Begins At Home
By Dr. Stephen Goykovich
Would you let your child play with a loaded gun? Never. Would you let your son or daughter play in traffic? Absolutely not. These questions are no-brainers for all parents. Yet, inside of most of our homes are things just as deadly to our children --- medicines and household chemicals --- and, we may not even be aware of it.
Medicines and chemicals kill nearly 30 children a year and generate more than one million calls a year to the nation's poison control centers. The Federal government estimates that each year more than half a million children are exposed to potentially poisonous medicines and household chemicals.
National Poison Prevention Week was observed recently on March 18-24 to broaden awareness about the potentially harmful effect these household items may have on our children. This week was set aside to prevent accidental childhood poisonings from occurring by reminding parents to check their homes now and make certain these dangerous items are out of the reach of children.
To protect our children from accidental poisonings the following precautions should be taken.
- Use child-resistant packaging properly by closing the container securely after use.
- Keep all chemicals and medicines locked up and out of sight.
- Call the poison center immediately in case of poisoning. Keep on hand a bottle of "syrup of ipecac" but use it only if the poison center instructs you to induce vomiting.
- When products are in use, never let young children out of your sight, even if you must take them along when answering the phone or doorbell.
- Keep items in original containers.
- Leave the original labels on all products, and read the label before using.
- Do not put decorative lamps and candles that contain lamp oil where children can reach them.
- Always leave the light on when giving or taking medicine. Check the dosage every time.
- Avoid taking medicine in front of children. Refer to medicine as "medicine," not "candy."
- Clean out the medicine cabinet periodically and safely dispose of unneeded and outdated medicines.
If your child does swallow or inhale potentially poisonous material, contact the Central Pennsylvania Poison Control Center immediately at 1-800-521-6110. By preventing poisoning cases in the home and subsequent emergency room visits, valuable lives and more than $350 million are saved in the United States each year.
Dr. Stephen Goykovich is literally a family man when it comes to health care and medicine. He has been involved in family practice providing health care to newborns, children and adults for nearly 20 years. The last 10 years he has practiced at the Jersey Shore Medical Associates in the Avis Medical Center in Avis. It is affiliated with Jersey Shore Hospital. He began his medical career after graduating from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in 1980. Before coming to Jersey Shore Medical Associates, Dr. Goykovich operated a solo general practice in Carson City, Michigan, and served as an Emergency Room Physician at Carson City Hospital. He is board certified and a member of the American Osteopathic Association. He also serves as the physician for the Jersey Shore School District.
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