The Poison Control Center has a lot more to offer than just information on poisons.

The center is a valuable resource staffed by pharmacists, physicians, nurses and other toxicology experts. Their expertise is available from anywhere in the United States 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with help available in over 150 languages.

Here are some additional scenarios where you would want to call the poison control center. If you were to find an unidentifiable tablet or capsule in your child’s room or car, often the poison control center can aid in identifying the tablet.

If your child is out in the back yard and eats a plant, flower or leaf or you’re just not sure if they did or didn’t, a call to the poison control center can often be helpful.

Since about 80,000 children are seen in hospitals each year for accidental exposure to potentially deadly substances, Poison Control is a valuable resource. Many parents accidentally err in taking action or waiting to see if the poison will have an effect prior to making the call to Poison Control. This is a mistake. A quick call can save a life.

According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), a poison is any substance with the potential to injure someone if used incorrectly. Poisonings can occur because of misuse of chemicals, household products, medicines, plants, fumes, or from stings or bites. Many poisonings can be handled simply by calling the Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222. If you suspect that you or someone else has been poisoned, call the Poison Center immediately.  Place the phone number where it is readily accessible. If there is nowhere to post the number close to the phone, consider placing the number on the fridge with a magnet.

The AAPCC estimates that the Poison Center hotline handles one call every eight minutes. These trained professionals are able to resolve 70 percent of calls over the phone, saving patients time and money. The other 30 percent are mostly calls from physicians and other healthcare providers.

Here is a list of some of the most common poisons ingested by children:

• cosmetics such as perfume or nail polish, and personal care products such as deodorant and soap

• cleaning products (for example, laundry detergent and floor cleaners)

• pain medicines (analgesics) such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen

• iron tablets or other vitamin products

• foreign bodies and toys including silica gel packages to remove moisture in     packaging and glow products

• topical preparations such as diaper rash products, hydrogen peroxide, acne preparations, or calamine lotion

 In the event someone is poisoned, the following are first aid tips from the AAPCC: If someone stops breathing, collapses, or has a seizure, call 911 immediately. For poisoning involving:

• eyes: rinse with running water and call the Poison Center

• skin: remove any soiled clothing, rinse with running water and call the Poison Center

• inhaled poison: get fresh air immediately and call the Poison Center

•  swallowed poison: call the Poison Center, do not try home remedies or induce vomiting until you are directed by the Poison Center or other healthcare professional

• if the individual is unconscious, having difficulty breathing, or cannot be aroused — call 911, not the Poison Control Center. In this event, calling the center may delay necessary treatment.

Besides being available for emergencies, the AAPCC also provides useful and informative education materials about poisoning and safety at home and in the workplace. They also keep records of poisoning statistics in the United States and offer tips for first aid and keeping your children safe from poisons. This is all available at www.aapcc.org.

Steve Mullenix (R.Ph) co-owns The Pharmacy in Mount Olive with his wife, Sherry Mullenix (J.D., R.N.). They can be reached at 631-1201.