Grocers, University of Utah offer poison prevention tips

Safety » Booths at stores to provide info on potential dangers.

THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

First Published Mar 18 2013 07:19 am • Last Updated Mar 18 2013 09:46 pm

Macey’s, Fresh Market, Dick’s Market, Dan’s and Lin’s Market are working with the University of Utah Poison Control Center, providing information booths to help educate parents and children about poisonous products that can be found in the home.

The booths are in the pharmacy areas where representatives will provide information on medicines and chemicals, and outline preventative steps as part of National Poison Prevention Week, which runs through Saturday.

"We want to help support families in this effort. We need [them] to be aware of the steps that can be taken in the home and in their lives to keep themselves and their young ones safe," said Dave Karpowitz, safety director for the markets’ parent company, Associated Food Stores. "It is vital that people arm themselves with basic information on poison prevention, such as keeping chemicals out of the reach of children and reading the labels and dosages on all products."

More than 2 million poisonings are reported each year to the nation’s poison centers. About 90 percent occur at home, and 51 percent involve children under the age of 6. The majority of fatal poisonings occur among adults, especially older adults, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

For more information, visit the Poison Help Web site at www.PoisonHelp.hrsa.gov.

In case of a poison emergency, contact your local poison center at 1-800-222-1222.

Associated Food Stores is an independent retailer-owned warehouse based in Salt Lake City that provides services to more than 400 grocers in the Intermountain West.

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