It's National Poison Prevention Week

EPA reports that this past year, the 57 poison control centers in America took 4 million calls and treated 2.4 million human poison exposures. During this National Poison Prevention Week, EPA and other federal partners urge parents and caregivers to take steps to prevent poisonings.

Data says that the top five most common exposures to children include cosmetics and personal care products, pain medication, cleaning products, foreign objects and creams. EPA urges the public to secure chemicals and pesticides in locked cabinets. In addition, the agency suggests these tips:

• Program the Poison Control Centers' national helpline number (800) 222-1222 into your phone's address book.
• Use child-resistant packaging by closing the container tightly after use.
• Never transfer pesticides to other containers.
• Never leave products unattended when in use.

For more tips and information, visit EPA's Preventing Poisons in Your Home website.