There are many hazards to our students, elementary age through college age, that can be worrisome for parent and students alike. As students prepare for this exciting time of the year, it’s crucial to remember the importance of poison prevention. Read on for a quick refresher on back-to-school safety and common poisoning scenarios focused primarily on college and high school students.
Medications
- Follow Doctor’s Orders: Always take medication exactly as prescribed and never share it with others.
- Maintain a Medication List: Keep an up-to-date list of all your medications, including:
- Dosage and timing
- Foods, beverages, or other medicines to avoid
- Possible side effects
- Consult Before Changes: Before starting or stopping any medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if you’ve taken the medication before.
- Use Proper Measuring Devices: Always use the provided dosing device (e.g., cup, syringe) to measure medicine, not kitchen spoons.
- Ask Questions: If you have any questions about your medication, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or poison center for accurate information!
Avoiding Substance Abuse
Turning to alcohol or drugs to relieve stress or to get high is very dangerous. It’s also dangerous to abuse prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Combining these substances with other medications can result in dangerous or deadly interactions.
Sings & symptoms of alcohol poisoning include:
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Blue or pale tinged skin
- Irregular or slow breathing
- Low body temperature
- Passing out and not waking up
Signs & symptoms of prescription drug misuse or abuse include:
- Trouble breathing
- Tremors or seizures
- Passing out
- Impaired coordination
- Changes in blood pressure
- Coma
If you or someone you know is suffering from severe alcohol poisoning or a drug/medicine overdose, call 911 immediately. For more information concerning alcohol poisoning, please see the Missouri Poison Center at Can Alcohol Poisoning Cause Serious Side Effects Or Death? – Missouri Poison Center. For more information concerning prescription or nonprescription drug misuse or abuse, please see the Missouri Poison Center at Medicine – Missouri Poison Center.
Please feel welcome to copy and distribute the below flyer for general back-to-school poison safety information provided by the Missouri Poison Center.
