Poison Prevention Week

Poison Prevention Week is March 20th-26th!

Each year, over 50,000 calls are received by the Utah Poison Control Center. More than 60% of the exposures involve children less than six years of age.

In 2010, 94% of all poisonings occurred in the home. Fortunately 79% were managed on site with telephone follow-up. Therefore, it is critical to safeguard the home environment. The Utah Poison Control Center reminds everyone to make poisoning prevention a year round responsibility.

The top three poison categories in children involve:

(1). Cosmetics and personal care products;

(2). Household cleaning products;

(3). Pain killers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

The top three poison categories in adults involve:

(1). Pain killers including narcotics and over-the-counter analgesics;

(2). Sedatives (drugs to reduce anxiety) and hypnotics (sleep aids);

(3). Antidepressants.

For more information on the Utah Poison Control Center, visit http://poisoncontrol.utah.edu/ To report a poisoning or possible poisoning, contact Tooele County Dispatch at 435-882-5600 or the Utah Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222.