National Poison Prevention Week has been very successful in its mission of reducing the number of accidental childhood poisonings. In the early 60s, when this special emphasis began, approximately 450 children died each year from needless poisonings. Well over a hundred of these were from aspirin alone. But the figures seem to have leveled off, and this is not enough. That's why we continue this yearly effort to educate parents, grandparents, caregivers, and anyone who has small children visit their homes, on the need for diligence and positive action to protect these young lives.
Children are naturally curious, and that is good.
Two of my 7 grandchildren are in that under-5 age group, where they are always looking to learn about the world around them. They explore cabinets and drawers. They climb to reach things of interest to them. But they also like to put things into their mouths. And that is where the danger comes in.