Center offers poison prevention services in 28 counties
GALVESTON, Texas - The week of March 16-22 is National Poison Prevention Week and the Southeast Texas Poison Center wants to bring attention to the proper handling of household chemicals, medications, fertilizers and other substances. When these products are not used as intended or not disposed of properly, they can be hazardous, even deadly, especially to young children.
Poison Prevention Week has been observed for the past 46 years.
The SETPC is one of a network of six regional centers established by the Texas Legislature to provide prevention and emergency treatment information to Texas residents and health care providers concerning poisonings or toxic exposures.
The center is located at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
Anyone with a question about poisons may call the national toll-free hotline at (800) 222-1222 to reach nurses, pharmacists, paramedics and physicians who have extensive education, training and expertise in the field of clinical toxicology or poisoning. The American Association of Poison Control Centers operates the hotline. It works similar to 911 in that all calls are directed to the nearest poison center, which is available 24 hours a day and has the capability to translate calls from a variety of other languages, including Spanish.
The SETPC also conducts public education activities for teachers, students and other groups in an effort to create safer environments for Texas residents.
The center is funded by the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Health Resources and Services Administration in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and through public and private donations.
For more information, visit www.poisoncontrol.org.