LOFGREN URGES PARENTS TO PAY ATTENTION TO HOUSEHOLD POISONS

March 18, 2003

South Bay Congresswoman has advice and helpful reminders for parents

Media Contact: Steve Adamske, 202.225.1943 (Media Only, Please)

Washington, DC — Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) today joined the SAFE KIDS Santa Clara/San Mateo Coalition to recognize March 16 through 22, 2003 as National Poison Prevention Week. The theme of the campaign this year is, "Children Act Fast€So Do Poisons!" More than 1.1 million unintentional poisonings among children ages 5 and under were reported to U.S. poison control centers in 2001. Each year, an estimated 114,000 children ages 14 and under are treated in hospital emergency rooms for unintentional poisonings and more than 90 die.

"We should remind ourselves about the importance of watching and supervising our children around household chemicals and/or drugs," said Congresswoman Lofgren. "People should know there is a new, national toll-free number to contact our poison control center to get immediate help if you suspect a poisoning from a medicine or household chemical. The phone number is 1-800-222-1222 and is available 24 hours a day, 7-days-a-week from anywhere within the United States."

Many incidents happen when adults are using a product but are distracted (for example by the telephone or doorbell) for just a few minutes. Children act fast and parents and child care providers must ensure that household chemicals and medicines are stored away from children at all times.

Parents and childcare providers can also take steps to help ensure their children are safe from unintentional poisonings around the home by adhering to the following guidelines:

Store all household products and medications locked out of children's sight and reach. Never leave potentially poisonous household products unattended while in use.
List the toll-free nationwide poison control center number (1-800-222-1222) and other emergency medical service numbers near every telephone. Keep ipecac syrup and activated charcoal on hand to be used only on the advice of a poison control center or a physician.
Always read labels, follow directions and give medicines to children based on their weights and ages. Only use the dispenser that comes packaged with children's medications.
Test children for lead exposure, and test homes built before 1978 for lead-based paint. Cover lead paint with a sealant or hire a professional abatement company to remove the paint. Frequently wash children's hands and faces as well as toys and pacifiers to reduce the risk of ingesting lead-contaminated dust.
Install CO detectors in your home in every sleeping area, and on the ceiling at least 15 feet from fuel-burning appliances. Ensure that space heaters, furnaces, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves are vented properly and inspected annually. Remove a vehicle from the garage to warm it up, even if the garage door is kept open.

Note: Contact the Santa Clara/San Mateo SAFE KIDS Coalition at 650-723-9985.