Central Valley Medical Center - Poison Prevention

During National Poison Prevention Week, the hospitalâ€™s pharmacy staff visits schools and educates children about the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them. Students are challenged to do a home survey with their parents to help eliminate unnecessary poison from the home. The class with the highest number of surveys returned wins a pizza party, courtesy of the hospital.

What is it?

During National Poison Prevention Week, the hospital’s pharmacy staff visits schools and educates children about the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them. Students are challenged to do a home survey with their parents to help eliminate unnecessary poison from the home. The class with the highest number of surveys returned wins a pizza party, courtesy of the hospital.

Who is it for?

Third-graders in the Juab School District and surrounding communities.

Why do they do it?

Poisoning – particularly from overdoses of over-the-counter, prescription and illicit drugs – has surpassed falls to become the nation’s second-leading cause of unintentional death, after motor vehicle collisions. The majority of non-fatal poisonings occur in children younger than six years old and more than 90 percent of these poisonings occur in the home.

Impact

Every year, approximately 220 students go through the Poison Prevention event, which has been held for the past 10 years.

Contact: Steve Breckenridge, RPh
Pharmacy Director
Telephone: 435-623-3108
E-mail: sbreckenridge@cvmed.net

Community Connections