STATEN ISLAND, NY – EAST SHORE — Poison Prevention Week, which begins Sunday and runs through next Saturday is an opportunity to take stock of the potential hazards that can be found in your home.
Poisons aren’t limited to ingestible substances; there are other poisonous hazards which can’t be sensed.
Carbon monoxide, or CO, the colorless, odorless gas, is the number one cause of accidental poisoning in the United States. A recent survey conducted by First Alert, the manufacturer of smoke alarms and CO detectors, revealed that only 51 percent of respondents have CO alarms in their homes, indicating that prevention education is still very much needed. For maximum protection, safety experts recommend putting one alarm on each level, especially near sleeping areas. Most CO alarms are available at national retailers, and most cost less than $25.
Radon can also be found in homes, in some cases at levels harmful enough to cause serious illness and even death. The same First Alert survey found that Americans are much less aware of the dangers of this gas, with only 41 percent perceiving it as being very dangerous. Research conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that there’s far too little education about radon’s harmful effects. According to the EPA, radon is the second most frequent cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking. Homeowners can purchase a radon test kit for under $25.
Smoke alarms, carbon dioxide detectors, and radon test kits are sold at Home Depot stores in Clifton, Mariners Harbor and Charleston, as well as Lowes in Mariners Harbor, and Sears in the Staten Island Mall, New Springville.
Be sure to secure household cleaning products, weed killers and car radiator, battery and wiper fluids so that they are tightly sealed and out of children’s reach. Place essentials like household cleaners, weed killers, bug sprays and other potential poisoning threats in large cabinets with doors that can be secured or up high on sturdy shelves. Garage, basement and home workshop cabinets and organization products are ideal for storing and securing these items.
Prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines are also a source of household poisoning, especially among young children. Americans use an average of a dozen prescription drugs per person every year, and most people keep them in the (unlocked) medicine cabinet, according to the First Alert survey.
Safety experts recommend keeping prescription drugs and medications out of the reach of children. Consider using a small safe or locked security box for storage and maximum security in households with children.
And call 911 immediately if you suspect poisoning from any of the above.