May 26th, 2020: Prevent Poisonings at Home
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As families started staying at home to help fight COVID-19, they stocked up on cleaning products, hand sanitizer, and over-the-counter medicines. In addition, springtime gardening and yard work could mean that pesticides and fertilizers make their way into the home. Unfortunately, poison control centers have seen a spike in calls related to bleach, sanitizers, and disinfectants. Now more than ever, it is important to practice safe use and storage of poisonous products.
Hand Sanitizer: Small amounts of hand sanitizer can poison a child and can be fatal. Always supervise children when using hand sanitizer and keep it out of reach when not in use.
Disinfectants & Bleach: Use cleaning products as directed, and always keep them in their original containers. Do not combine or mix cleaners, as toxic fumes can be produced. Keep cleaning products out of reach and locked away.
Pest control & gardening products: Keep children inside while the lawn or garden is being sprayed for pests. Poison can be absorbed through the skin, through the mouth, or by breathing vapors. HealthyChildren.org recommends keeping kids “off the lawn after a chemical fertilizer has been applied until it's been exposed to at least a quarter inch of rain or a good watering. Then, wait at least 24 hours before you allow kids to play on the lawn.”
Medicines: If you have young children, store all medicine in a place that is too high to see or reach, preferably in a locked cabinet. If you have teens in the home, a locked cabinet is the best choice. Tightly close and safely store all medication bottles after each use. Safely dispose of unused medication.
Poison control centers are available 24 hours a day, every single day (including holidays!). Do not hesitate to call Poison Help Line (800-222-1222) or go to their website if you suspect a child or family member has come in contact with a poisonous product.
Action of the Week
Every Monday, we are promoting a new, simple action that each family can take to keep their children safer while social distancing. This week, we want every family to search their home for poisons. Most families know to keep their children away from harsh cleaning products, but it’s important to remember that many substances can be harmful or deadly if used in the wrong way. Treat laundry detergents, fertilizers, medicines, makeup, perfume, and even some household plants like poison. Keep all possible poisons up, away, and out of sight, preferably in a locked cabinet. Check out these poison prevention tips by the National Poison Prevention Week Council.
Contest
Show us how you’ve been preventing child injury at home and you could win $500!
Document how you use our toolkits or participate in outreach weeks (our most recent outreach week was swimming pool safety!) with pictures, videos, or screenshots. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:
Best Use of a Prevent Child Injury Toolkit
Best Use of Prevent Child Injury Social Media Graphics
Most Creative Use of a Prevent Child Injury Toolkit
You don't have to submit to a specific category -- we will evaluate it to see which category it fits into best.
We will accept multiple submissions from the same individual/organization if it is not a copy of a previous submission. Share the contest guidelines with your friends, family, and colleagues!
Our contest is open until June 26th, 2020. Read more about the contest here. Please send submissions to contests@preventchildinjury.org.
Coming Up
On Our Calendar
June: National Safety Month
Events
Attend the "Child Home Safety in the time of COVID: A Neglected Priority" Webinar, hosted by The George Washington University Injury Prevention Center and Safe Kids Worldwide, on May 27th at 11:30AM EST. Join the expert panelists for an engaging discussion on home safety. Register for the free webinar here.
Safe States is hosting a webinar on May 27th at 2:00PM EST titled “Drowning Prevention: Wading through the COVID-19 Impact.” Participate in the discussion on the impact of COVID-19 stay-at-home orders and parental distraction on drowning rates. Register for the free webinar here.
Announcement from the Safe Routes Partnership
The Safe Routes Partnership is putting together a Back to School 2020 Working Group to help develop strategies and resources for effectively implementing Safe Routes to School programs this fall. The group is looking for a broad range of Safe Routes to School practitioners, parents/caregivers, students, and advocates from across the country to join.
If you are interested in applying to participate in the Back to School 2020 Working Group, please complete this online application by Wednesday, May 27th. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to kori@saferoutespartnership.org or Becky Gilliam at becky@saferoutespartnership.org.
If you are not interested in participating in the working group but would like guidance on a particular topic, you can submit questions and comments via this online form. These questions will help inform the Back to School 2020 Working Group agenda and forthcoming materials.