POISON PREVENTION WEEK March 16-22
Happy Poison Prevention Week
In 1961, Congress established National Poison Prevention Week to raise awareness, reduce unintentional poisonings, and promote poison prevention. The staff at the Oregon Poison Center would like to invite you to investigate all of the potential hazards in your everyday lives.
Children Act Fast . . . So Do Poisons!
In 2013 the Oregon Poison Center received 55,000 calls. More than 45 percent involved children children 6 and younger. Our most common calls for ALL ages are concerning pain relieving medications, including over the counter drugs containing acetaminophen, as well as narcotics like Vicodin and Oxycontin.
Take this time to make your home, cars, and offices poison safe.
Safety Tips
- Store all medicines and chemicals locked away and out of sight of children and pets.
- Only take medications that are recommended by your healthcare provider. The misuse or abuse of all drugs can cause deadly results.
- Dispose of unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs. The stockpiling of left over medications is an accident waiting to happen.
- Program your phones with the poison center hotline number (1 800 222-1222). If you have questions, just call. No question is too small.
Got Drugs?
If you do - let's face it, who doesn't have some expired aspirin or leftover antibiotics, or a few other odds and ends in their medicine cabinet - you can safely dispose of them on National Drug Take Back Day.
Turn in your unused, leftover, unwanted and expired medicines for safe disposal on Saturday, October 26th, 2013, from 10AM to 2PM. Numerous collection sites around the country will be participating in the national event on this day.
For a collection site near you, check the Drug Enforcement Agency Web site at www.dea/gov and go to "Resources", then "Drug Information", then "Got Drugs-National Take Back Initiative" Enter your zip code and a selection of locations that are participating will pop up. Or call 1-800-882-9539, for a nearby disposal site.
Many police stations and sheriff's offices will be collection sites, but don't let that scare you. No questions will be asked when you drop off your medications. It's free, and the drugs will be safely incinerated after collection.
This event is usually held twice a year, but if you acquire medications you no longer need, don't wait until the next collection date to dispose of them! Many police stations now have medication drop boxes year round, so check with your local police station to see if you can dispose of them there - again, no questions asked.
And remember, if you or someone you know does take a double dose of their medication or the wrong medicine, they overdose, or has a bad reaction to a drug or medicine, call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Always Free
Always Open 24/7
Always Confidential
Poison Center Tidbits
Every 13 seconds, U.S. Poison Centers receives a call about someone being exposed to a poison. Over 50% of these emergencies involve a child under five years of age.The Oregon Poison Center would like to wish you and your family health and happiness. Prevent accidental poisonings and keep your family safe.
Find out ways to prevent poisonings in your home
Remember that your regional poison center is here to help eliminate thousands of costly emergency room visits by providing free and confidential poison assistance to callers on a poison hotline 1 800 222-1222.
Your Regional Poison Center
The Oregon Poison Center (OPC) is located on the campus of Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. We are a 24-hour regional poison emergency information and resource center for the public and health care professionals. We serve the citizens of the state of Oregon. As a regional poison center, we also provide service to Alaska, and the island of Guam.
The Oregon Poison Center, as a provider of 24-hour poison center services to our region has the following core mission and vision.
Our Mission
Our mission is to prevent poisonings and to minimize adverse effects of exposures to drugs, poisons, chemicals and natural toxins. To guide effective utilization of health care resources by serving the public, health care providers and public health agencies, through telephone advice and consultation, educational outreach, research and emergency response planning.
Our Vision
The Oregon Poison Center Web site is NOT a substitute for talking with a trained Poison Specialist. In the case of an emergency, you should always contact your regional poison control center (1 800 222-1222) or 911 emergency services for help.
