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EPA Reminds Public to Keep Household Poisons Away from Kids

Release Date: 03/20/2006
Contact Information: Enesta Jones, (202) 564-4355 / jones.enesta@epa.gov

(3/20/06) In observance of National Poison Prevention Week, March 19-25, EPA is reminding the public-at-large of the importance of keeping household pesticides and chemicals out of the reach of children to prevent accidental poisonings. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that more than 9 out of 10 suspected poisonings occur at home, and the culprit usually is a common household product.

Tips on how to protect children from pesticide and lead poisonings are available in both English and Spanish: epa.gov/oppfead1/cb/10_tips/

EPA has expanded its efforts and is working with the Migrant Clinicians' Network (MCN) on a campaign aimed at educating farm workers about how to protect their families from the potential dangers of pesticides. The campaign, "La Protección De Su Familia Esta En Sus Manos" (The Protection of Your Family is in Your Hands), will be done in Spanish, since the vast majority of farm workers are Spanish-speaking, and will consist of television, radio and print interviews. The campaign will educate families about steps they can take to reduce pesticides residue exposures from their clothes, hands and shoes.

EPA has additional educational materials available to help prevent accidental poisonings. The materials can be obtained by calling EPA's Environmental Publications line at 1-800-490-9198.

Additional information on poison prevention: epa.gov/pesticides/health/ppweek-lockit.htm

Information on National Poison Prevention Week: http://www.poisonprevention.org