A
startling fact has been learned in a study undertaken by the
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in association with the Poison
Information Center at the Children's Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama.
This study showed that 36% of the childhood ingestion's related to a prescription
vial involved a grandparent's medication.
Grandparents and parents must become aware of the surprising finding that
over one-third of the accidental childhood prescription drug ingestion's involve
a grandparent's medication. Grandparents often have non-child-resistant
prescription vials or loose pills out on tables, kitchen counters, or in purses
or pockets. Children swallow these medications when they are visiting
grandparents or when the grandparents visit them.
To prevent this continuing tragedy
Parents and grandparents must keep medicines out of the reach-and out
of sight--of grandchildren.
Grandparents should use child-resistant vials if they are able to.
Although grandparents may get traditional easy-to-open closures by asking
their pharmacist for them, the child-resistant vials should be used
whenever children are around. It is true that child-resistant closures
are inconvenient to use, but the inconvenience could buy enough time
to save a child's life!
Children are curious; adults must help keep children safe.
For more information on how to prevent childhood poisonings,
call the toll-free CPSC Hotline on 800-638-CPSC. A TTY for the hearing
impaired can be reached on 800-638-8270. Or contact your local poison
control center (anywhere in the USA) 1-800-222-1222.