I was so pleased to learn that my 3rd grader
was being given a presentation on Medication Safety Awareness. A student nurse came to the school to do a
series with them and gave out a booklet called “Medicine is Not Candy”, put out
by the Poison Control Center at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Part
of me wants to say that my daughter knows not to take any medicine on her own,
or anything that is not given to her by my husband or I. However, it never hurts to stay informed and
hear it from an outside “expert”.
According to safekids.org, 165 children per day are
brought to the ER after taking Medication on their own. This translates to
about 60,000 kids per year being treated in the ER for “accidental unsupervised
medication ingestion.” Although this is mostly affecting children under age 5,
it is important reinforce the danger with all of our school aged children.
Keep all medicine closed and away, out of sight and preferably
in a locked or high up cabinet. If you
have visiting relatives, such as grandparents, who may keep pillboxes in their
purse, store the purse on a high shelf as well.
In addition, know the poison control number,
1-800-222-1222. This number is easy to remember, or program it into your
phone. They will be your first contact if
you realize your child has ingested something they shouldn’t have.
Let’s keep all our children safe.
http://www.safekids.org/assets/docs/safety-basics/safety-tips-by-risk-area/medication-safety-infographic.pdf
