Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 15, 1990 TAG: 9003143020
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Tammy Poole
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
There are about 104 Poison Control Centers in the United States that maintain information for the public on necessary treatment for the ingestion of household products and medicines. Here are some first aid measures to take if ingestion occurs:
Remain calm.
Call your local Poison Control Center (in Roanoke, the number is 981-7336), physician or 911 number immediately.
Keep emergency numbers by the phone at all times.
Be prepared to give the following information: the victim's age and weight, the poison involved, how it was ingested, any first aid that has been given, if the person has vomited, your location and how long it will take you to get to the hospital.
Have the label ready to read to the physician.
If medicine has been swallowed, do not administer anything by mouth until advised by the Poison Control Center.
If chemicals or household products have been swallowed, follow first-aid instructions on the bottle and call for professional advice.
Always keep a one-ounce bottle of syrup of ipecac on hand for each child or grandchild, and use only with the advice of the Poison Control Center, emergency department or a physician. If you have HUMCO brand ipecac syrup, you should replace it. A potentially deadly substance was mistakenly labeled as syrup of ipecac by HUMCO Laboratory.
To help avoid poisoning accidents, use the following household rules:
Keep all household chemical products and medicines out of reach and out of sight of youngsters and, preferably, locked up when not in use.
When these products are in use, never let them out of your sight - even if you must take them along when answering the phone or door.
Store all medicines separately from household products, and store all household chemical products away from food.
Keep items in their original containers.
Leave the original labels on all products, and read the label before using.
Always leave the light on when giving or taking medication.
Avoid taking medicine in front of children, since youngsters tend to imitate grown-ups.
Refer to medicine as medicine - not candy.
Clean out the medicine cabinet periodically, and safely dispose of unneeded medicines when the illness for which they were prescribed is over.
Close the container securely after use.
Don't use cups or soft-drink bottles to hold paint thinner, turpentine or gasoline.
Also remember that many plants are toxic and lead in paint can be a serious problem if ingested.
If you suspect or know that a child has ingested anything that may be poisonous, contact your local Poison Control Center or your physician.
The previous information is from the state Division of Consumer Affairs in Richmond and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in Washington, D.C.
by CNB