Poison Prevention

1. Tell the class "A poison is something that can cause illness or death when ingested. There are many symptoms of being poisoned including stomach pain, drowsiness, dizziness, blue lips and many, many others. If you or someone you know may have been poisoned, immediately call the Alberta Poison & Drug Information Service using the National Poison Centres' number 1-844-POISON-X (1-844-764-7669)."

2. With the students, write down what they should do when they call the poison centre. This includes:

• Have the poison container with you when you call
• Be prepared to answer important questions
• Listen carefully to instructions
• Ask the Information Specialist to repeat anything you don’t understand
• Follow the Information Specialist's advice

Also write down what they will need to give the Specialist on the line:

• Name
• Weight
• What the person was exposed to
• If it was swallowed, how much was swallowed?
• Information from the container label
• If the person has had anything to eat or drink since swallowing the poison

3. Using the 'Poisonous Household Items Activity' slides, explain to the class that "many common household items can be poisonous. These include household cleaners like dishwasher soap, window cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, nail polish remover, car fluids like antifreeze or windshield washer fluid, pesticides and fertilizers, vitamins and prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. All products need to be used safely by following the instructions on the label."

4. Explain to the class that "a common household item that can be hazardous is medication. When we are feeling sick, taking medication is a useful way to help us feel better. However, medication only works when it is taken in the right amount. If you are feeling sick, remember to only take medication under the supervision of an adult that you trust. Today, we will be going over why it is important to take the right amount of medication, and how to measure medication properly." "You will be reading an article on medicine safety but certain parts of it are missing. It will be your job to read it and fill in the parts that are missing."

a. Distribute copies of the 'Over-the-Counter Medicine Safety' worksheet to students.
b. Explain that the title, section headings, diagram and glossary are all missing and that it is their job to fill it out after reading the article.

i. The glossary should have 3 words and a short description for each.

c. Either let students go through the worksheet on their own or work through it with them and ask questions along the way.

5. Ask the class, "if you had to explain medication safety to someone, what would be the key points that you would share with them?" Record student's responses on a piece of flipchart paper /whiteboard / SMART board. Answers include:

• It is important to only take medication under the supervision of an adult that you trust.
• It is important not to take too little or too much medication. If you take too little medication, it may not work as it was intended. If you take too much medication, it could cause harm to your body.
• When you are measuring medication, use the dosing equipment, i.e. medicine cup or syringe, that comes with the medication you are taking. Remember, different medications may use different measurements, so only use the dosing equipment for the specific medication that you are taking.
• When you are not using medication, it is important to keep it locked up tight, and out of sight. Younger children may be curious about medication - keeping medicine locked up, high, and out of sight can help prevent younger children from accessing medicine.

6. At the front of the class, prepare the children’s and adult’s medication bottles that are filled with coloured liquid. Explain to the class that you are "going to demonstrate why it is important to only use the dosing equipment that comes with the medication that you are taking."

a. Read the label on the children’s medicine bottle to the class. Using the dosing equipment, measure a dose according to the label.
b. Read the label on the adult’s medicine bottle. Using the dosing equipment, measure a dose according to the label.
c. Explain to the class that "it is important to take the right type of medicine, in the right dose." Show the two doses of medicine to the class. "See how the quantity of the medicine is different?" Ask the class, "if you were to take the adult dose of medicine, what do you think would happen?"

• • Answer: you could harm your body. It is important to only take the prescribed dose of medication for your age and weight.

d. Go back to the children’s medicine bottle and re-read the recommended dose. Explain to the class that "it is important to use the dosing equipment that comes with the type of medicine that you are taking. This means you should not use kitchen teaspoons or tablespoons to measure a dose of medicine. Let’s demonstrate why."

• • Refer back to the dose of coloured water that was previously measured using the dosing equipment (i.e., syringe or measuring cup). Place previously measured 'dose' on a table in the front of the class for students to see. Now, use a kitchen tablespoon to measure the same recommended amount of medicine. Do the same with the teaspoon. Demonstrate to students that "a teaspoon and a tablespoon can vary depending on what types of cutlery you have at home. When you are measuring medication, it is important to always use the dosing equipment that comes with the medication to ensure that you take the correct amount."

7. To wrap up the activity, send the student's completed 'Over-the-Counter Medication Safety' worksheet home with students and encourage them to share what they learned with their family.