Agencies Observe National Poison Prevention Week

WASHINGTON, D. C. (March 18) -- Although childhood poisonings have been dramatically reduced since the introduction of child-resistant closures in the early 1970s, thousands of children are still accidentally poisoned through ingestion of improperly packaged and stored household substances. The majority of poisonings occur with children under five years of age who cannot distinguish between candy and pills or between soda and furniture polish.

President Carter has proclaimed the week of March 18th as National Poison Prevention Week. First observed by President Kennedy in 1962, the third week in March has traditionally been observed as the week to focus attention on the problem of accidental childhood poisonings.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are members of the National Planning Council which sponsors National Poison Prevention Week. The National Planning Council for Poison Prevention Week consists of 28 professional and trade associations, health and safety organizations, youth-oriented service groups, medical, dental, nursing, pharmaceutical groups, and government agencies.

Records of poisonings in the United States are compiled by FDA's National Clearing house for Poison Control Centers. The Clearinghouse receives voluntary reports of poisonings from 473 poison control centers around the United States.

Poisonings among children under five from aspirin have dropped by about 55 percent over a four year period since Federal regulations for packaging of these products went into effect. Deaths among children under five from accidental ingestion of aspirin, formerly the leading cause of childhood poisoning, have declined 46 percent.

In 1976 the leading cause of childhood poisoning reported by poison control centers was ingestion of household plants. Soaps, detergents, and cleaners ranked second. Vitamin and mineral preparations were third.

CPSC administers the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) under which it requires a number of household products and drugs to be sold in child-resistant packaging. CPSC Chairman Susan King and FDA Commissioner Donald Kennedy remind parents that practically all accidental poisonings to young children can be prevented by keeping household products out of their reach. They urge parents to lock up potential poisons in the home, buy and use products with child-resistant closures, keep products in their original containers, and keep warning labels on containers intact.

In case there is an accidental poisoning, have numbers for a doctor, hospital emergency room, ambulance, or rescue squad by the telephone.