EPA Urges Public to Lock Up Household Products to
Protect the Lives of Children in Conjunction with
National Poison Prevention Week, March 21-27
Lock household pesticides and chemicals in a high cabinet. That's
the simple message of "Lock It Up" which is the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency's ( EPA) childhood poison
prevention campaign for Poison Prevention Week. EPA will
observe National Poison Prevention Week from March 21-27, 2004
to increase awareness of the danger to children of unintenti onal
poisoning from household pesticides and chemicals, and to
encourage parents, grandparents and caregivers to lock up products that could potentially harm
children. Last Fall, in collaboration with the American Association of Poison Control Centers,
EPA developed and distributed more than 23,000 copies of a poster with the "Lock It Up"
message to poison centers, clinics, hospitals and health departments across the country. During
Poison Prevention Week, Washington, D.C. area commuters will see the poster inside local
Metro trains.
The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports that 36% of poisonings in children
take place in their grandparents' home. The Census Bureau reports that approximately 4.4
million children under the age of 18 live in a grandparent-headed household, and 2.4 million
grandparents are the primary caregivers for their grandchildren. Every 15 seconds U.S. poison
centers receive a call about someone being exposed to a poison. Forty percent of those cases
involve a child under three years of age. According to the National Safety Council, more than
half of the two million poisoning incidents each year involve children under six years of age.
Such figures show the need for everyone to lock up household pesticides and chemicals in a high
cabinet out of the reach of children. In most poisonings, children swallow common substances
found around the home: prescription drugs, non-prescription pain killers, vitamins, cosmetics,
and personal care and cleaning products. Many of the poisonings also involve house plants,
tobacco products and alcohol
National Poison Prevention Week was first authorized by Congress in 1961. This year's theme is
"Children Act Fast... So Do Poisons!" because it only takes a few moments for a small child to
grab and swallow a poisonous substance. Adults should carefully read labels and store hazardous
household chemicals away from children at all times. To raise awareness of how to prevent
poisonings and exposures to household cleaners and pesticides, EPA makes available the
following free poison prevention resources:
/ "Lock It Up" Poster (EPA 735-H-03-002) urges parents and caregivers to lock
household products away from children.
/ Poison Prevention: Read the Label First! Community Action Kit (EPA-735-
E-04-003) includes training materials for communities to heighten awareness
about preventable poisonings caused by improper use and storage of household
products.
Photograph courtesy of
Generations United
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y Ten Tips to Protect Children From Pesticide and Lead Poisonings (EPA-735-F-
03-001). This brochure provides simple steps to protect children from pesticide
and lead poisonings around the home. It is available in English and Spanish
/ Read the Label First! Protect Your Kids. This pamphlet provides information to
prevent children from being exposed to pesticides and household cleaners by
reading and following product label instructions and precautions. It is available
online at:
http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/labeling/rtlf/kids.pdf.
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