Accidental Poisioning

NATIONWIDE NUMBER &INTERVENTION

Accidental poisonings occur witheven the most common and

seemingly harmless substances,and the ability to instantly

access critical informationabout the substance and countering

agents (if any) can save lives.

Experts on the Call withYou

BY PAM KAUFMAN

Association of Poison ControlCenters

(AAPCC) launched a nationwidenumber

for access to the 61 U.S.poison control

centers: 800/222-1222.

On the basis of the area codeand

exchange of the caller, thenumber routes

to the poison control centerlocal to the

caller. The number is functional24 hours

per day in the 50 states, theDistrict of

Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and

Puerto Rico.

The local Ohio poison controlnumber is: 513 558-5111

When you make CONTACT you willbe asked.

• How thechild [patient] is now;

• When thishappened;

• How muchwas taken (the Poison Center Specialist will assist you

withdetermining the amount);

• The exactname of the drug and/or what the active ingredients are

(have thecaller bring the container to the phone);

• Thevictim's age, weight, state of general health, allergies, present

medications;

• Whetherany other substances were taken; and

• Thecaller's name, child's name, address and phone number.

Remember,all information is confidential.