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Newark, NJ— More than 2 million
poisonings are reported each year across the United States. According
to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, approximately
90 percent of poisonings happen at home.
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (NBIMC), an affiliate of the
Saint Barnabas Health Care System, recognizes Nation Poison Prevention
Week—March 14 – 20—to remind members of the community
of the dangers of the four forms of poison—solids (i.e. medicine
pills), liquids (i.e. gasoline), sprays (i.e. spray cleaners) and
gases (i.e. carbon monoxide)—that they can encounter in the
home.
Examples of poisons include:
- alcohol
- carbon monoxide gas
- medicines - prescription, over-the-counter and illegal drugs
- food supplements - vitamins, minerals and herbal products
- personal care products - nail polish and nail polish remover,
cologne, aftershave, deodorant, mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide,
makeup, soap, contact lens solutions, lotions, baby oil and diaper
rash products
- household chemicals - bleach, detergent, furniture polish,
cleanser, drain and toilet bowl cleaners, antifreeze, gasoline,
paints and varnishes
- plants - many house plants and mushrooms
- bites and stings - snake and spider bites, and scorpion, wasp
and bee stings
It is very important to understand this basic knowledge on poison
prevention. Remember to carefully read the labels and dosages on
all products. If there are children at home, make sure to keep
chemicals and medicines out of their reach.
To learn more about ways to help prevent poisonings, visit PoisonHelp.hrsa.gov.
The Poison Help Web site provides valuable resources for poison
prevention. In case of an emergency, you contact the Poison Help
number, 1-800-222-1222.
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, a 673-bed regional care
teaching hospital, provides comprehensive health care to its
local communities and is a major referral and treatment center
for the northern New Jersey metropolitan area. With more than
800 physicians, 3,200 employees and 150 volunteers, the Medical
Center has over 300,000 outpatient visits and 25,000 admissions
annually. For more information, please call Newark Beth
Israel Medical Center at (973) 926-7000, or visit www.barnabashealth.org.
For physician referral information, please call 1-888-724-7123.
Follow us on Twitter: get real time news from the Saint Barnabas
Health Care System at www.twitter.com/barnabas_health.
Date: March 1, 2010
Contact: Beth Salamon
Public Relations
Phone: 973.322.4926
esalamon@barnabashealth.org
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