Mehlville Fire Protection District: National Poison Awareness Week

Every year from March 15-21, communities across the United States learn more about the importance of poison safety and how to recognize poison emergencies both at home and at work. At Mehlville Fire Protection District, we make National Poison Awareness Week a priority, ensuring that we protect our residents and communities by providing comprehensive education on how to stay informed, prepared, and proactive about these common hazards.

Poison doesn’t just refer to a liquid hazard; it also applies to medications, cleaning supplies, chemicals, and carbon monoxide. By recognizing these hazards and learning essential accidental poisoning prevention strategies, our residents can significantly reduce their risk and feel confident that they know what to do in the case of a poison-related emergency.

National Poison Awareness Week is a nationwide public health observance dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of poison prevention and educating individuals and their families on what to do in these types of emergencies. 

Exposure to poison can occur in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:

• Swallowing the wrong dose of medication
• Accidental ingestion of household products
• Inhaling carbon monoxide
• Mixing cleaning chemicals – we strongly advise against doing this. Many chemical combinations can create extremely dangerous toxic gases. 
• Exposure to pesticides

According to poison control experts, most poison emergencies throughout the District occur at home, and almost all of them are preventable. This National Poison Awareness Week, we encourage our residents to review crucial poison safety practices, learn how to effectively and safely secure dangerous substances in their homes, and to always keep the Missouri Poison Control number on hand.

By adding a few simple additions to your daily routine, you can significantly reduce your risk of accidental poisoning. Whether you live in a household with young children, older adults, or animals, poison prevention is an essential part of keeping everyone you love safe. 

Here are some of our recommended poison safety best practices:

• Store all medications and supplements in cabinets or drawers that can lock 
• Never mix household chemicals
• Ensure that you have carbon monoxide detectors installed and that they are functioning properly
• Safely dispose of expired medications
• Make sure that all pesticides, automotive and cleaning products are properly labeled and stored

Looking for ways to make your home safer? National Poison Awareness Week is a great time to perform a home safety check.

Here are a few places to start:

• Check that all medications are out of sight and reach of children and older adults
• Regularly test carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries if needed
• Ensure all cleaning supplies are securely stored
• Educate every member of your household about never tasting unknown substances
• Save the Poison Control number (1-800-222-1222) in your phone

It takes just a few minutes to review these safety steps, but in an emergency where every second counts, they can make a world of difference.

Knowing which emergency service to call during a poison-related emergency can save precious time. 

Call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) if:

• Someone may have taken too much medication
• Someone has swallowed a non-food substance
• You are unsure if something is poisonous

Poison Control is free, confidential, and available 24/7. It is a valuable resource that we strongly recommend our residents use if they ever have any questions or concerns about poison exposure.

Call 911 immediately if an individual:

• Is unconscious
• Is having trouble breathing
• Is experiencing seizures
• Has collapsed
• Is unresponsive

In an emergency situation where someone’s life is in danger, you should always call 911.

At the Mehlville Fire Protection District, we believe education is one of our most important tools in preventing emergencies. We proudly offer community safety programs and resources that provide residents with practical knowledge about fire prevention, carbon monoxide safety, and emergency preparedness.

If you would like to learn more about our safety measures, you can either browse through our public safety resources blog or contact Mehlville Fire Protection District today. Together, we can keep our community safer and stronger.