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Florida Injury Prevention Programs for Seniors (FLIPS). Senior Poison, Medication & Food Safety. Senior Module. Could You Have Exposure to Poisons?. Poison gets in the body through inhalation, the mouth, skin, and/or eyes. Every year in America, 80,000 seniors are poisoned by:
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Florida Injury Prevention Programs for Seniors (FLIPS) Senior Poison, Medication & Food Safety Senior Module
Could You Have Exposure to Poisons? • Poison gets in the body through inhalation, the mouth, skin, and/or eyes. • Every year in America, 80,000 seniors are poisoned by: • food, bites & stings, substances of abuse, chemicals, plants, and home & personal products. • Seniors are most often poisoned by medications.
Poison Trivia • Which is the most dangerous product for a child to swallow? • Calamine lotion • Laundry bleach (5% chlorine) • Arthritis pain relief ointment (with oil of wintergreen) • Answer?
Poison Trivia cont’d… • Which is the most dangerous for a child to swallow? • 1 prescription pill for diabetes • pencil lead • 1 cigarette butt • Answer?
Prevention & Education • Why do seniors need to know about poison safety? • To protect themselves. • The most common poisons for Florida seniors are medications, household poisons, and organisms in food. • To protect their loved ones.
Causes of Medication Poisoning • Interaction from multiple prescription drugs • Over-the-counter or herbal interactions • Taking another person’s drugs • Vision or reading difficulties
Causes of Medication Poisoning cont’d… • Sensitivity to drugs (allergies) • Poor liver and/or kidney function • No reminder system for taking medications • Self-adjusting drug dosages
Safe Medication Principles • Keep a list of all current drugs in your wallet. • Keep your drugs in a separate place from drugs belonging to other family members. • Take medicine in a well-lighted area.
Safe Medication Principles cont’d… • Ask for clear instructions on all new drugs. • Record possible problems with your drugs and tell your physician. • Children may be at greater risk of medication poisoning when they are with their grandparents. • So keep medications out of reach.
Poison Resources • Who provides reliable information about medications? • Physicians • Pharmacists • The Poison Control Center
Causes of Household Poisonings • Look-alikes • Storing non-food items next to food • Storing chemicals in drink bottles • Mixing cleaners
Causes of Household Poisonings cont’d… • Using cleaners without gloves or ventilation • Leaving poisons in easy reach • Child-resistant containers or latches not in use • Storing water in any other containers other than water containers
Safe Product Storage • Store in original container • Store in a secured location • Store poisons away from food • Use child resistant containers or cabinet latches • Follow directions when using products • Rinse and dry when adding a second cleaner
Who To Call For Help? • For non-emergencies, call the company’s toll-free number on the label. • For exposure to a product (inhaled fumes, product spilled on skin, sprayed in eye, or swallowed) call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. • For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.
Causes of Food Poisoning • Germs carried on dirty hands • Certain plants, fruits, seeds, and roots
Causes of Food Borne Illness • Cross-contamination during food preparation • Improper cooking or storage of food • Eating spoiled food or contaminated meats and fish
Food Safety • Wash hands using lots of friction • W—warm • A—and • S—soapy • H—happy birthday • Wash dishes and utensils after contact with raw meat or eggs. • Sanitize food preparation surfaces monthly with bleach water & let air-dry. • Keep hot food hot and cold food cold.
Food Poisoning Resources • For treatment advice, call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. • To report a restaurant or grocery store with bad food, call your county health department. • For instructions about safe food preparation or healthy cooking, call your county cooperative extension service.
The Poison Center Hotline—1-800-222-1222 • Provides advice after poisoning. • Answers question to help prevent poisonings. • Most poisonings can be managed at home with the help of the Poison Control Center. • Free, confidential service • 24 hours a day, 7 days a week