Safe Kids Week 2012: Poison prevention – Every day, every way (May 28 – June 3)

Poisoning is the fourth leading cause of injury deaths and permanent total disability. Half of all poison exposures occur among children less than five years old and most poisonings occur at home. Safe Kids Week will take place May 28 to June 3, 2012 and focuses on the importance of poison prevention.
The theme of this year’s Safe Kids Week is Out of Sight and Locked Up Tight.

Visit Safe Kids Canada.

Semaine SécuriJeunes 2012 : Prévention des empoisonnements – En tout temps, sur tous les plans (Du 28 mai au 3 juin)

L’empoisonnement est la quatrième cause de décès par blessures et invalidité totale permanente. La moitié de toutes les expositions poison se produisent chez les enfants de moins de cinq ans et la plupart des intoxications surviennent à la maison. Semaine SécuriJeunes aura lieu en mai 28 to Juin 3, 2012 et met l’accent sur l’importance de la prévention des empoisonnements.
Le thème de l’édition de cette année de la semaine SécuriJeunes est Sous clé et hors de danger.

Visitez Sécuri Jeunes Canada

 

IWK Regional Poison Centre Education Day 2012

TALK THE TOX
FEBRUARY 22, 2012
MARRIOTT HALIFAX HARBOURFRONT

An Education Day for:
Physicians, Nurses, and Paramedics

Agenda

0715-0830              Registration
0830-0900             Opening Remarks
0900-0940             Decontamination Update John Ross, MD FRCPC, ABEM
0940-1020              Airway Management in the Overdose Patient George Kovac, MD, MHPE, FRCPC
1020-1040              Refreshment Break Provided
1040- 1120              Dialyzable Overdoses Nancy Murphy, MD, CCFP (EM), dABEM (TOX)
1120-1200               Occupational Exposures Janet MacIntyre, MD, FRCPC
1200-1310               Lunch Provided
1310-1400               Pediatric Pearls in Toxicology Katrina Hurley, MD, MHI, FRCPC
1400-1440              Update on Street Drugs Nancy Murphy, MD, CCFP (EM), dABEM (TOX)
1440-1520               Refreshment Break Provided
1520-1600               Interactive Toxicology Osama Loubani, MD, PGY4, ICU Fellow
1600-1615               Wrap-up and Evaluation

Link to PDF Version of Agenda here
Link to Registration Form here

Northwest Territories update

Starting February 1, 2011, residents and healthcare professionals in the Northwest Territories can obtain expert information and advice on poisonings and overdoses from Alberta’s Poison and Drug Information Service, toll-free.

Poison information 24 hours/day:

Northwest Territories:  call 1-800-332-1414.
VOIP users:  call (403) 944-1414.

Winter Holiday Hazards

Each season has special hazards and winter holidays are no exception. With the entertaining, gifts and decorations during the holidays, homes can be filled with bright and interesting things. Some can be toxic. Here are a few holiday hazards. If you suspect these substances have poisoned someone, call your local Poison Control Centre.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Alcohol drinks can cause severe toxicity to a child. Symptoms include drowsiness, confusion and coma, vomiting and low blood sugar, especially in infants and young children.
CANDLES: Wax and synthetic candles have a low order of toxicity. Ingestion may result in diarrhea.
DISC BATTERIES: Button batteries often come with watches, cameras and toys. If swallowed these may lodge in the esophagus or airway and can be an emergency. An initial x-ray is needed to ensure the battery has passed into the stomach. If it passes into the stomach, the stool will need to be checked until the battery passes.
GLOW STICKS: Glow sticks have a low order of toxicity. Biting into these can result in mild oral irritation. A splash in the eye can cause immediate stinging and burning sensation. This generally does not result in burns to the eye.
ICICLES and TINSEL: These are made of plastic with a nontoxic aluminum colouring. Ingestion of a large amount could be a choking hazard.
LAMP OIL: Lamp oil is attractive to children because of its colour and fragrance. Ingestion of a small amount can be serious and lead to coughing, difficulty breathing and chemical pneumonia.
MEAT THERMOMETER: These contain a small amount of ethanol and a red dye. Ingestion of the liquid will not cause toxicity. If the thermometer breaks in the meat, remove that section of meat and any glass particles prior to serving.
PLANTS:
• Christmas cactus: This plant is nontoxic. Ingestion may cause minor abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhea in young children.
• Holly: Ingestion of large amounts of leaves or berries can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Ingestion of a few berries may cause only mild symptoms.
• Poinsettia: The irritant sap may cause mouth, skin or eye irritation. Serious toxicity is unlikely from ingestion of 1 or 2 leaves but oral irritation, nausea and vomiting may occur.
ROAD SALT: Commonly contains sodium chloride. Ingestion of less than one teaspoonful can cause vomiting but is unlikely to result in serious toxicity. Larger amounts can lead to severe vomiting, seizures and death.
SNOW SCENE GLOBES: Ingestion of the “snow” particles is nontoxic. The liquid is usually water, however, some globes contain toxic ethylene glycol. Contact your poison control centre if the liquid is ingested.
SNOW SPRAY: “Snow” particles are an inert plastic. Ingestion is considered nontoxic but deliberate inhalation of the propellant may cause drowsiness, dizziness and confusion.
FOOD SAFETY: Don’t let spoiled food spoil your holidays! Visit http://www.eatsmartbc.ca for some simple rules to prevent food poisoning.
TURKEY PREPARATION: For information regarding thawing, cooking, preparing and storing your holiday turkey, visit http://www.butterball.ca.
PET SAFETY: Many people know that chocolate can be dangerous to dogs, but did you know that raisins and grapes, macadamia nuts, and bread dough could be problematic as well? Protect your pets this holiday season – keep Christmas decorations out of reach, and visit the American SPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control) and the Pet Poison Helpline (http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com) for more tips on poison prevention for your pet.

Wishing you all the best, from your Canadian Association of Poison Control Centres!

National Poison Prevention Week March 14-20, 2010

National Poison Prevention Week: March 14-20, 2010.

A 10-month old is found crying in a puddle of laundry detergent, having rubbed his eyes and put his hands into his mouth…
A 2 year-old discovers some Nicorette gum in her dad’s coat pocket and has chewed a couple of pieces…
A 14-month old ate a tablet of grandpa’s diabetes medication momentarily left out on the breakfast table…

These scenarios and others play out every day in homes across the country, but they could have been prevented.

National Poison Prevention Week is March 14-20, 2010.
National Poison Prevention Week this year is aimed at protecting children with the theme, “Locked Out of Reach – Sous clé et hors de portée”.
Unintentional poisonings are a leading cause of injury in Canada, and children under the age of five years are at particular risk.

Here are a few things you can do to prevent unintentional poisoning in the home:

• Keep products in their original, labeled containers (preferably child-resistant containers)
• Return medicines and household products to safe storage immediately after use
• Keep in locked cabinets
• Do not store other products in food or beverage containers
• Never leave children alone with household products
• Never refer to medicine as “candy”
• Keep purses and diaper bags out of children’s reach and be aware of visitor’s purses and bags
• Always have the number for your local Poison Control Centre handy

Contact your local Poison Control Centre or visit their websites for other tips and resources on poison prevention.
Click here to go to a list of Canadian Poison Control Centres.

Poisonings can occur in many different ways at any time to anyone, whether they are young or old. Preventing poisoning is an every-day activity.

Despite our best efforts, however, sometimes poisonings happen. Canadians are reminded that should an unintentional poisoning occur, immediately contact the nearest Poison Control Centre or call 911.

Join your local Poison Control Centres and the Canadian Association of Poison Control Centres, along with Health Canada and Safe Kids Canada, in promoting poison prevention.

Health Canada Reminds Parents and Caregivers to Take Steps to Prevent Unintentional Poisoning

Safe Kids Canada: keep medications and other potential poisons Locked Out of Reach