Cape Girardeau is the birthplace of poison prevention

Cape Girardeau is known as the City of Roses, River City, even “the Cape,”… but it could also be called the birthplace of poison prevention.

This year, National Poison Prevention week is March 20-26. It’s nationally designated every third week in March to highlight the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them. It all began in 1958 when founding Broadway Prescription Shop owner and pharmacist, Homer George, voiced his concerns about children’s safety.

Mr. George became concerned that there were not proper antidotes for medicines and chemicals in his pharmacy. He convinced the Cape Girardeau mayor to declare a Poison Prevention Week in Cape Girardeau. He then pushed it to the Governor of Missouri, who proclaimed the first in the nation, statewide Poison Prevention Week. Mr. George didn’t stop there. He convinced state legislators to introduce the idea before Congress. Public Law 87-319 authorized the president to designate the third week in March as Poison Prevention Week. President John F. Kennedy signed the law on September 16, 1961. The Poison Prevention Council, a partnership of public and private entities, which works with poison control centers nationwide to raise awareness about accidental poisonings was also created. The first National Poison Prevention Week was observed March 18-24, 1962.

55 years later, it’s still important to be aware of the dangers of accidental poisonings. There are more than 2 million poisonings reported annually to U.S. poison control centers, according to the Poison Prevention Council. Of these, more than 90 percent happen in the home. Most of the nonfatal incidents involve children 6 years of age or younger. However, it’s important to note that adults, particularly seniors, are at risk due to dosing errors.

Broadway Prescription Shop, located at 710 Broadway in Cape Girardeau

The Poison Prevention Council has these recommendations to prevent an accidental poisoning in your home:

1. Use child-resistant packaging properly by closing the container securely after use.

2. Keep all chemicals and medicines locked up and out of sight.

3. Call the poison center 1-800-222-1222 immediately in case of poisoning.

4. When products are in use, never let young children out of your sight, even if you must take the child or product along when answering the phone or doorbell.

5. Keep items in original containers.

6. Leave the original labels on all products, and read the label before using.

7. Always leave the light on when giving or taking medicine. Check the dosage every time.

8. Avoid taking medicine in front of children. Refer to medicine as "medicine," not "candy."

The Poison Prevention Council also recommends that you clean out the medicine cabinet periodically, and safely dispose of unneeded medicines when the illness for which they were prescribed is over. Present day Broadway Prescription Shop owner and pharmacist, Kevin Wood, has these recommendations for proper disposal:

1. Pour medication into a sealable plastic bag. If medication is a solid (pill, liquid capsule, etc.), add water to dissolve it.

2. Add kitty litter, sawdust, coffee grounds (or any material that mixes with the medication and makes it less appealing for pets and children to eat) to the plastic bag.

3. Seal the plastic bag and put it in the trash.

4. Remove and destroy all identifying personal information (prescription label) from all medication containers before recycling them or throwing them away.

5. You can take unused medications to your pharmacy for proper disposal if you are unable to do so on your own.

To learn more about the Poison Prevention Council, go to www.poisonprevention.org. If you think someone has been exposed to medicinal or household chemical poisoning, call 1-800-222-1222.

Broadway Prescription Shop is the longest operating pharmacy in Cape Girardeau. It is located at 710 Broadway, near the intersection of Broadway and Sprigg Street.