It has happened to every parent.  You are spending time with your toddler.  You look away for a split second and they are gone.  We can be the most conscientious of caregivers and yet, children still find a way to get into things not meant for them.  Sometimes it is candy, sometimes it is paperwork, but what about the times when what they dig into is dangerous, or worse, poison?  We know we cannot watch them every second of every day so prevention becomes the crucial tool most likely to avoid poisoning in the home.  In order to avoid poison, you have to first know what it looks like.  Yes, it may look like drain cleaner to us, but it is the same color as Kool-Aid to them.  It looks like medicine when mom takes it, but it is poison for their little bodies.  What about the poison you cannot see?  Carbon Monoxide poisoning is fatal, but you cannot see it, smell it or feel it.  In fact, many people die from the poison before ever experiencing any symptoms.

Household Chemicals:

Household cleaners should always be stored in their original bottles or containers and be secured in an area small children cannot reach.  You can child-proof you home with safety latches, grips, outlet covers and slide locks.  Remember that babies and toddlers will put almost anything in their mouths, so it is our job to ensure that they are not exposed to chemicals or sharp corners or other dangers.  KidSafe has a child proofing checklist which assists us in making sure we have covered each room and the dangers that exist.  Adults can also poison themselves with cleaners by mixing products together.  Bleach and ammonia can be a toxic combination.   Always wear protective clothing if you spray pesticides or chemicals, including gloves, long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes.  Ventilate the room when painting or using strong chemicals.

Medications

Poisoning does not just affect children, however.  Adults are poisoned by misuse or abuse of prescription drugs, or from simply not watching the expiration dates and consuming toxic medications.  There are several safety precautions you can use to avoid an accidental overdose or taking a medication that has become toxic.  First, never take any medications that are not prescribed to you by a healthcare professional and limit your use to the dosage you are prescribed.  Just because a medication worked for Grandma doesn’t mean it is healthy for you or your toddler.  Make sure you keep vitamins and herbals in a separate place from prescription drugs and keep both in a place that can only be reached by those who dispense the medication or are supposed to be taking it.  Always keep your medication in its original container and turn on a light when you take medication to be sure you know what you are taking.  Dispose of unused, unneeded or expired prescription drugs properly and if you don’t know how you should be disposing of them, contact your pharmacist.  Always monitor the medication use of your children, teenagers and the elderly.  If necessary, keep narcotics in a lockbox for security.  Remember that medications kept in a purse, backpack, coat or on an open counter are a temptation to a small child and easily accessible.

Carbon Monoxide

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), carbon monoxide poisoning kills more than 400 Americans a year unintentionally, sends 20,000 to the emergency room and hospitalizes 4,000.  People and animals are subject to poisoning.  Prevention includes having your heating system, water heater and any other gas appliance serviced by a qualified technician each year, as well as ensuring you have a battery-operated or battery back-up Carbon Monoxide detector in your home.  Batteries should be changed when you update the time on your clocks each spring and fall.  Look for gas equipment that carries the seal of a national testing agency, such as the CSA Group.   Make sure your appliances that are gas are vented and never leave gas stoves or fireplaces running when you will not be home.

What if . . . . ?

No matter how much we try to prevent it, poisoning does happen.  So what do you do?  Remain calm and call 9-1-1 or the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.  Be prepared to tell emergency responders the victim’s age and weight, time of exposure and address where the poisoning occurred.  If possible, have the container or bottle containing the poison available and follow the instructions of emergency personnel or the Poison Control Center in rendering first aid until first responders arrive.

As April draws to a close, we remind our clients, friends and family to avoid distracted driving by keeping your mind and hands on your driving.  April is designated as the month dedicated to prevention of Distracted Driving, including texting, changing the radio station, talking on your phone, playing with your iPad or iPod, or any other activity which distracts you from your driving.  As attorneys who practice personal injury, this issue hits close to home.  Every day we see traumatic accidents all over the nation caused by distracted driving.  This is an issue that draws attention in our schools, our work, our homes, and our legislature.

Nebraska has addressed the issue of distracted driving by making texting while driving and failure to wear seatbelt infractions secondary offenses.  This means that you cannot be ticketed for either offense unless you are stopped by law enforcement for another reason.  The current law on texting and driving was passed by the unicameral in 2010 and was amended so the $200.00 fine could only be issued as a secondary offense.  Unfortunately, this led to only 234 citations in 2011 and 2012, hardly an effective argument for deterring cell phone usage while driving.  The most likely reason for this low number of convictions is the fact that it is only a secondary offense.

However, in this latest legislative session, Senator John Harms of Scottsbluff introduced the Nebraska Roadway Safety Act, LB807, a bill aimed at making our roads safer, including a provision which would have made texting while driving a primary offense.   Wearing a seatbelt would also be a primary offense.  The bill also proposes no cell phone use by bus drivers while a bus is in motion unless communicating with dispatch.  At the end of the legislative session, this bill was indefinitely postponed.

Meanwhile, Iowa is also making deterring distracted driving a priority.  In late March, the Iowa Senate voted 27-22 in favor of an appropriations bill setting aside $200,000.00 to be used in an educational campaign regarding the risks of distracted driving.  This bill will now go to the Iowa House, where legislation to specifically crack down on the problem of texting and driving has stalled.  There has been a dispute as to which department’s budget will provide funding for the appropriations bill.

Texting and driving is still a crucial part of improving roadway safety and accident prevention.  Although texting and driving is often the distraction that is focused on in legislation and in the public, other activities which can move your attention away from the task of operating your motor vehicle safely should be avoided or delayed until you can perform the task safely.