Talking Trash

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

It's National Poison Prevention Week

This week -- from March 15 to March 21, 2009 -- is National Poison Prevention Week.

Did you know these facts about poisons?

• Most poisonings involve everyday household items such as medicines, cleaning supplies, cosmetics and personal care items.
• 93 percent of all poison exposures occur in the home.
• 51 percent of poison exposures occur in children under the age of six.
• Over 70 percent of all poison fatalities occur in adults ages 20 to 59.

Where should you turn for help? The National Capital Poison Center serves our area.  Have a poison emergency?  Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately for help at no charge!

Some resources for poison prevention information:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (with podcasts)
• Poison Help (even includes a poison jingle ringtone for your phone!)
• US Environmental Protection Agency

If you find no-longer-needed or wanted poisons in your home, garage or garden, bring them to our Hazardous Waste program.  Prevention is better than the cure!

-- posted by Susanne

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CATEGORIES: Hazardous Waste
POSTED AT: 3:45:00 PM |