|
|
(HealthNewsDigest.com) – The American Association of Poison Control Centers and the experts at America’s 57 poison centers are encouraging summer travelers to stay poison-free while vacationing, according to Wendy Stephan, educator with the Florida Poison Information Center – Miami.
“Poison emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere – even on vacation,” Stephan said. “In fact, poisonings often happen when normal routines or environments change. So while you’re enjoying yourself visiting family, camping at a national park, or relaxing at the beach, it’s important to follow these tips to stay poison-free.”
America’s poison experts offer the following tips for travelers:
- Always keep your medicine and cosmetics out of the reach of children and in their original containers. Don’t leave them in your luggage where a child can get into them. If someone takes the wrong medicine or a child gets into it, call your local poison center at 1-800-222-1222.
- Be aware of the plants and wildlife around you, and teach children to always ask before touching new bugs or creatures. Your local poison center will know which species are harmful and can give you important steps to reduce pain and prevent serious harm.
- Travel and eating go hand-in-hand, but food poisoning can become an issue if you’re not careful. If you think you’re sick from something you ate, your local poison center can give immediate advice and let you know if and when it’s time to seek emergency care.
“Before you leave on your trip, program your cell phone with the nationwide toll-free Poison Help line:1-800-222-1222,” Stephan said. “A call to the Poison Help line will connect you to free, confidential help from medical professionals at your local poison center 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Happy travels!”
An infographic with information about safe summer travel is available at http://www.aapcc.org/
For more information, contact Loreeta Canton, director of public relations and member services, at703.894.1858 or [email protected]; or Brett Schuster, communications associate, at 703.894.1858or [email protected].
About the American Association of Poison Control Centers:
The AAPCC supports the nation’s 57 poison centers in their efforts to prevent and treat poison exposures. Poison centers offer free, confidential medical advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. This service provides a primary resource for poisoning information and helps reduce costly emergency department visits through in-home treatment.
To learn more, visit www.aapcc.org, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or read our blog ataapcc.wordpress.com. To join your voice with other poison center supporters, register for the AAPCC advocacy network at www.capwiz.com/aapcc – click on “Action E-List.”
###
For advertising and promotion on HealthNewsDigest.com call Mike McCurdy at 877-634-9180 or [email protected] We have over 7,000 journalists as subscribers who have access to our content for their own media.