IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL INJURY PREVENTION DAY, ACS REMINDS PARENTS AND CARETAKERS TO KEEP MEDICINES, CANNABIS-INFUSED EDIBLES, GUNS & OTHER POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS HOUSEHOLD ITEMS IN LOCKBOXES

 

Lockboxes Can Prevent Children From Being Hurt from Unintentional Household Injuries 

In recognition of “National Injury Prevention Day,” the NYC Administration for Children's Services (ACS) is reminding parents and caretakers about the importance of safely storing medicines, cannabis-infused products, guns button batteries, and other potential household poisons or dangers in lockboxes.  Lockboxes prevent children from accessing dangerous items.

 

“There is nothing more important than keeping our children safe, and that includes preventing

-unintentional injuries from happening,” said ACS Commissioner Jess Dannhauser. “In recognition of National Injury Prevention Day, ACS wants parents and caregivers to know that storing medications and other potentially dangerous household items out of children's reach and in lockboxes helps prevents injuries and tragedies.”

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 60,000 children go to the emergency room every year after getting into medicines. Parents should ensure all prescription medications are stored out of sight and reach of children, make sure medications have

child-proof lids, and educate children about medicines and why a parent, caregiver or a trusted adult must be the one to give it to them. Never tell children medicines tastes like candy or gum to get them to take it. Similarly, other household dangers should also be locked up and stored up high and out of the reach of children. In the event of unintentional ingestion, call the NYC Poison Center and, in case of emergency, call 911 immediately. 

 

The ACS Office of Child Safety and Injury Prevention supports ongoing work to keep children safe through public awareness campaigns, trainings, and concrete support around injury prevention. This work includes promoting safe storage of prescription medications and other, potentially dangerous household items, including cannabis-infused edibles, which can look identical to desserts and sugary snacks like candies and chocolate bars. Parents should know the importance of storing these items ‘up and away’ and out of sight and reach of children.

 

For more information contact the NYC Poison Center at 212-POISONS (212-764-7667).  For more information about child safety visit https://www.nyc.gov/site/acs/for-families/your-childs-safety.page