TODDLERS MOST AT RISK OF MEDICATION POISONING

During National Poison Prevention Week, safety experts are reminding parents of the vigilance needed when they have prescription medications in the home. A new report from "Safe Kids Worldwide" says each year, more than 59-thousand children are taken to an emergency room after getting into medicine. The group's President and C-E-O Kate Carr says that's one child every nine minutes, and sometimes the visit involves the ingestion of other health-related products.

"Vitamins or diaper rash cream – there are a lot of products that are around and, if a child can get into them, they can in some cases be quite serious, requiring a hospital room visit or, in some cases, leading to a fatality."

According to the report, nearly half the time a child got into a medication, it belonged to a grandparent. So, Carr advises anyone with children around to be diligent about keeping medicines out of sight and out of reach of little ones.

Because of their curious nature, Carr says one- and two-year-olds are at highest risk for medicine poisoning. And she says they're sometimes finding it in unexpected places.

"Not uncommon that they're finding things on tables, on nightstands, on furniture – in a purse that's left on the floor, or it could be a kitchen counter. Kids find ways of getting into things. "

Carr adds that medication should always be given as directed and kept in its original container. If a poisoning of any kind is suspected, specially-trained professionals are available through the Indiana Poison Center. The number to call is 1-800-222-1222, from anywhere in the state.