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CHP+ SHARES POISON PREVENTION TIPS
Contributed by: Tammy Stratton on 5/28/2008

CHP+ SHARES POISON PREVENTION TIPS WITH COLORADO PARENTS

DENVER - May 2008 - The Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center (RMPDC) received 46,980 human poisoning exposure calls from Colorado residents last year. Of those calls, 25,597 involved children under the age of five. Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) offers families preventive tips to assure poisoning does not occur and to help raise awareness surrounding the dangers of unintentional poisonings. Colorado families can take simple steps in the home to help reduce the likelihood of unintentional poisoning. For instance, CHP+ reminds parents to make sure that any liquids or solids that may be poisonous are kept locked up and out of site.

CHP+ is the State's free-to-low-cost health and dental insurance program for uninsured Colorado children ages 18 and under whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private health insurance. CHP+ pays for many health services for children including physicals, immunizations (shots), medications, well-child check ups, vision and hearing care, behavioral care, visits to the emergency room and doctor visits. CHP+ also offers comprehensive health care benefits to pregnant women through the CHP+ Prenatal Care Program. With CHP+ Prenatal Care Program, prenatal care visits are free.

"There are countless little things that Colorado parents can do to help prevent accidental poisonings," said Lieutenant Governor Barbara O'Brien. "We encourage all Colorado families to take poison safety precautions such as using proper safety caps and child-resistant packaging. Additionally, CHP+ is a great low-cost resource for parents to provide their children with the health coverage they need in case of an emergency."

RMPDC is Colorado's certified regional poison center. If you or your child come in contact with poison call the poison help line immediately at 1-800-222-1222 to speak with a poison expert in English or Spanish. In 2007, a total of 75 percent of the poison exposure cases in Colorado were safely managed at home with the assistance of RMPDC's trained staff so parents should not hesitate to call if they have concerns or questions.

According to poisonprevention.org the following is a list of general rules that can help prevent poisonings.

1. Use child-resistant packaging properly by closing the container securely after use.
2. Keep all chemicals and medicines locked up and out of sight.
3. Call the poison center 1-800-222-1222 immediately in case of poisoning.
4. When products are in use, never let young children out of your sight, even if you must take the child or product along when answering the phone or doorbell.
5. Keep items in original containers.
6. Leave the original labels on all products, and read the label before using.
7. Do not put decorative lamps and candles that contain lamp oil where children can reach them because lamp oil is very toxic.
8. Always leave the light on when giving or taking medicine. Check the dosage every time.
9. Avoid taking medicine in front of children. Refer to medicine as "medicine," not "candy."
10. Clean out the medicine cabinet periodically and safely dispose of unneeded medicines when the illness for which they were prescribed is over. Pour contents down drain or toilet and rinse the container before discarding.

Help keep Colorado kids healthy! For more information in English and Spanish about CHP+ eligibility or to get an application visit www.CHPplus.org. Families can also call toll free at 1-800-359-1991.
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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Tammy Stratton

Denver , CO

Tammy Stratton has posted 403 stories and 0 comments since joining on 4/21/2008. Tammy Stratton 's average story rating is 1.5.
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