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Happy, Safe Holiday (and then some...)

Are Your Medications Up, Away and Out of Sight?WFH_All Saints 2Cstk_Co (2)
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Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints

67,000 children are treated in emergency rooms each year for medicine poisoning.

500,000 times each year a child gets into medicine or gets the wrong dose.  

Safe Kids Worldwide recently released a new research report that found kids are getting into medicine at an alarming rate. Over the past 10 years, this rate has increased by 30 percent. All Saints is the Lead Agency for Safe Kids Kenosha-Racine. Read more...

In its report, An In-Depth Look at Keeping Young Children Safe Around Medicine, Safe Kids reviews the numbers and offers parents simple things they can do to protect their children.

“Ask any parent, and they will tell you they store medicine where children can’t get them,” said Erin Donaldson, Safe Kids Kenosha-Racine coordinator. “But they might not be thinking of pills stored in purses, vitamins left on counter tops, or a diaper rash remedy near a changing table.”

 

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The increase in exposure reflects the increase in medicines in the home. Most adults take medicine or vitamins on a regular basis, but they don’t always keep them hidden from kids. In 86 percent of emergency room visits for medicine poisoning, the child got into medicine belonging to an adult.

“Curious kids can get into trouble fast,” added Donaldson. “It only takes a few seconds for children to get into medicine that could make them very sick.” Look around your house to make sure all medicine is out of sight.

Wheaton blog Nov 27

Tips to keep kids safe around medicine

  • Keep them up, up and away (handy for you is dangerous to your child).

  • Medicine is more than just pills. Rubbing alcohol, eye drops, and ointments can all be unsafe.

  • Medicines designed to help children take them easier (gummy or candy varieties) are a magnet for little eyes.

  • When you have guests in your home, put purses, bags and coats where kids can’t get to them.

  • Be alert to medicine in places your child visits. Take a look around to make sure there isn’t medicine within reach of your child.

  • Program the nationwide poison control center number (1-800-222-1222) into your phones.


To learn more about safe medication storage, dosages, and disposal, visit www.SafeKids.org.

All Saints is the Lead Agency for Safe Kids Kenosha-Racine. Like us on our Facebook page to stay up-to-date on relevant topics for your family.

 

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