Annually, more than 65,000 children ages 5 and younger are accidentially exposed to pesticides and more than 10,000 of those exposures involve mouse and rat poisons. Also, more than 90 precent of poisonings happen in people's homes. March 17–23, has been declared National Poison Prevention Week and the US Environmental Protection Agency and others are urging parents and caregivers to secure pesticides and household chemicals in locked cabinets and out of children's reach.
As part of your efforts to be more aware during this special week, also taking note of the following:
- Use products with a tamper-resistant bait station to protect children and pets from expsoure to mouse and rat poison.
- Go through each room of your home to see where there are potential poisoning hazards and correct accordingly.
- Never transfer pesticides and other household chemical products to containers that may be mistaken for food or drink.
- Program the Poison Help Center number, 800.222.1222 in your phone.