Keep your children out of the emergency room during the holidays

Banner Poison Control Center discusses top five hazards during the holidays

PHOENIX – As much as we love friendly visits during the holidays, Banner Good Samaritan would rather not see your children in need of our emergency services this holiday season. The holidays are known to bring a greater volume of emergency patients to Valley hospitals. What is unfortunate is that many visits are due to preventable poisonings.

From medications to lamp oils, alcohol to scented candles, the decorations and household items that children are usually exposed to during the holidays are often not properly secured or childproofed.

“Poisoning during the holiday season is an unfortunate circumstance-especially when the advised precautions to prevent these poisonings are not taken,” said Ann-Marie Krueger, BPCC educator. “Pills are left within a child’s reach or taken incorrectly by the visitor in your home; the bright colors and scents of candle oil spark curiosity; these issues and others can lead to an anxious hospital visit and interrupted holiday celebration.”

This year, BPCC provides the following tips to avoid emergency room visits related to accidental poisoning. Below is a list of the top five hazards for toxicity during the holiday season.

1.  Visitor’s purses are often where you will find medications. Holiday travelers tend to keep medications with them, making them easily accessible for children. Keep the young children out of purses and away from flip top medication sorters.

2.  Keep cleaning supplies and alcohol in their original containers and away from children. Do not count on your own labeling of bottles to get the information needed if someone should drink or spill it by mistake.

3.  Do not keep non-edible items in the refrigerator. A quick grab of something to eat or drink could lead to trouble.

4.  If you like to decorate with candles that require oil or those that are colorful and/or scented, please be sure to keep them out of a child’s reach.

5.  Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. Do not use charcoal or propane grills inside the house.

If you believe that your child has been exposed to any of these household products and/or decorations:

• Stay calm;
• Call the Banner Poison Control Center right away at 1-800-222-1222;
• Do not wait for symptoms to appear;
• Have the exact name of the product (bring container with you to the phone);
• Try to figure out how much of the poison the person was exposed too;
• Know the time that the poisoning took place – how long ago;
• Know the age and weight of the person;
• Tell the nurse if the person has any other health problems;
• Tell the nurse if you have already tried any treatments; and
• Most of all listen carefully to the nurse and follow instructions exactly.

The Banner Poison Control Center will offer advice about required care and whether a hospital visit is necessary. In 80 percent of poisonings the person can be treated at home without going to the emergency room. To reach BPCC, call 1-800-222-1222. This is a free community service, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays.

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