In 1991. mote than one million
children under the age of five were
exposed to potentially poisonous
substances according to the
American Association of Poison
Control Centers (AAPCC). Thir
ty-one children died. The week of
March 21-27 has been designated
“National Poison Prevention
Week.” This year’s theme is
“Children Act Fast... So Do Poi
sons!”
As I read over the materials for
this year's educational efforts, I
learned some new information.
Did you know that “button” bat
teries that are often used in watch
es, calculators apd hearing aids
can cause poisoning if swallowed?
They can cause severe internal
bums if they become lodged in
someone’s intestine or esophagus.
Each person who uses these bat
teries should store the new batter
ies in a safe place. Wrap the old
batteries securely and throw them
away.
I think most of us believe that as
long as parents take precautions to
make their own home poison
proof, that young children are pro
tected. The AAPCC’s research
breaks that myth. Twenty-three
percent of the oral prescription
drugs that were ingested accident
ally by children under the age of
five actually belonged to other
people. This happens because
youngsters visit homes where not
children live aunts, grandpar
ents, neighbors. The other risky
situation is when older persons
carry medicines into homes where
young children live and play.
Have you ever left your purse un
attended at a friend’s home, when
you volunteered at a church nur
sery or child care program?
Poisonings also happen with
household cleaninr products.
Children can easily tip over a bot
tle of cleaning liquid or taste some
great lemon-smelling product in
the time it takes an adult to answer
the doorbell or telephone.
Another misconception is that
poisonings happen only with
young children. While children
under the age of five are probably
at the most risk because they are
investigating and exploring their
world by touching and tasting,
older adults are potential victims,
too. Adults should remember to:
✓Turn on the light at night and
put on glasses before taking any
medicines. This prevent* someone
from opening the wrong contain
er.
✓never mix medicines and al
cohol. Some cold and cough medi
cines have alcohol in them. Check
with your doctor before combin
ing over-the-counter products
with prescriptions.
✓never “borrow” a friend’s
medicine or take old medication.
All of us should follow some
basic precautions. First, store
medicines away from other house
hold products like spices or desk
supplies. And don’t store house
hold chemicals near food pro
ducts. Keep items in their original
containers. For example, don’t
save lighter fluid in a soft-drink
bottle for later use. We should call
medicine “medicine” and not
“candy.” Drug companies have
greatly improved the taste of
many products. We don’t want to
confuse the issue for children by
presenting the medicine as a treat
or something fun.
Finally, post the number of your
local Poison Control Center by the
phone. In an emergency, be ready
to give the expert as much of the
following information as possible.
• The victim’s age, weight and
any existing health conditions.
• The substance involved
Couple’s Roundtable To
Strengthen Relationships
Are you engaged? Dating?
Celebrating your 25th wedding
anniversary? Remarried? or in a
long-term relationship? Are you
interested in strengthening that re
lationship? Then the “Couples’
Roundtable” is for you.
Penn State Cooperative Exten
sion and Bethany Counseling
Ministry are sponsoring a series of
workshops for couples who ate in
terested in enhancing their rela
tionship. The program runs for six
weeks, on Mondays, starting April
S through May 10, from 7 to 9:30
p.m., at Penn State Eastgate Cen
ter, 7th and Herr Streets, Harris
burg.
I LESTER A. SINGER CO.
96 N. Ronks Rd. Honks, PA 17572
(717)687-6712 1-800-456-5250
Uncmw’ Firmlnfl, Saturday, March 13 1993-B5
was it swallowed, inhaled, splash
ed on the skin or eyes?
• Any first aid that has been giv
en. (With medicines, call the Cen
ter or a physician immediately.
For cleaners, follow first aid in
structions on the label then make
the phone call.)
• Your location and how long it
will take you to get to the hospital.
Be part of the solution. Make
this week and every week “Poison
Prevention Week” in your home.
Topics to be covered include:
‘Life Goes On” which deals with
physical and emotional changes
throughout the life cycle; “Effec
tive Communication,” and
“Here’s Hoping You’re Coping”
a stress management work
shop; Fiancial Management; My
er’s Briggs Personality Type Indi
cator; and sexuality. The final ses
sion, “Smiling Through The
Years,” is an experiential session
giving couples techniques and re
sources to strengthen their rela
tionship throughout a lifetime.
The cost of the six-week session is
$3O per couple. For more informa
tion and to register call the Penn
Suite Cooperative Extension -
Dauphin County Office at (717)
921-8803. The registration dead
line is Monday, March 29.
FRANK A.
FILLIPPO, INC.
- WANTED -
DISABLED & CRIPPLED
COWS, BULLS & STEERS
Competitive Prices Paid
Slaughtered under
government inspection
Call: Frank Pillippo -
Residence - 215-666-0725
Elam Cinder - 717-367-3824
C.L. King - 717-786-7229