DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

Posted at 2:19 AM on March 23, 2008 by Regan Zambri & Long

Home Safety Tips for Poison Prevention Week: March 16 - 22

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an emergency call is made to U.S. poison control centers every 13 seconds, and 40% of those calls involve injuries to children under three years of age.  More than 77,000 of those calls typically involve poisonings by common household pesticides.  The EPA recognizes March 16 - 22 as National Poison Prevention Week, and offers the following home safety information to help prevent poisonings in the home this year:

Common chemical-containing products in U.S. homes:

  • "bath and kitchen disinfectants and sanitizers, including bleach
  • household cleaning or maintenance products, such as drain cleaner, paints, or glues
  • automotive products stored around the home, such as anti-freeze or windshield washer fluid
  • health or beauty care products such as medicines, hair and nail products
  • roach sprays and baits
  • insect repellents
  • rat and other rodent poisons
  • weed killers
  • products used to kill mold or mildew
  • flea and tick shampoos, powders, and dips for pets
  • swimming pool chemicals"

    Steps you can take to prevent poisonings:

  • "Always store household products in a locked cabinet or garden shed away from both your children's and pet's reach.
  • Read the product label first and follow the directions to the letter.
  • Use the safest possible cleaning products.  Look for the Design for the Environment (DfE) label on products.
  • Never leave products unattended when you are using them.
  • Re-close products if interrupted during application (e.g., phone call, doorbell, etc.).
  • Use child-resistant packaging properly by closing the container tightly after use.
  • Never transfer pesticides to other containers; children may associate certain containers with food or drink.
  • Remove children, pets, and toys before applying pesticides (inside or outside the home). Follow label directions to determine when children and pets can re-enter the area that has been treated.
  • Never use illegal pesticides (e.g., Tres Pasitos, unregistered Insecticidal Chalk, or Tempo). These products have not been reviewed by EPA and their use may pose a danger to public health. Always look for an EPA Registration ID number on the label. (Example: EPA Reg. No. 500-123456)
  • Post the Poison Control Centers’ national hotline number, 1-800-222-1222, near your phone. Program the number into your phone's "address book" or redial feature."

    Previously on the DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

    For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

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