In honor of Poison Awareness Month, we ask that all citizens take the time to educate themselves about poisons, including accidental poisonings and mistaken use in the elderly. Nearly 5 million poisonings occur each year in the United States.  Many of these happen to children, but experts are worried about another age group: adults over 60.

The average senior takes five prescription drugs a day. This can lead to dangerous interactions and adverse reactions. Misuse is the most common cause of accidental poisoning in this group.  Adults are usually guilty of failure to read instructions carefully and to take heed of warning labels. Mistaken identity is the accidental poisoning plague of the elderly. Often they attempt to read labels without their glasses or in the dark, or automatically reach for a medication that has been moved from its usual place only to pickup something else by mistake. This group is most likely to store products not in original containers because they generally use smaller quantities and often share products with family and friends. Many seniors have failing eyesight. It's easy for them to mix up medications and take the wrong drug. Memory lapses are common in seniors. So they take extra doses accidentally.  Only about 5 percent of poisonings involve seniors, adults over 60, but nearly half of all poisoning related deaths occur in this age group.  Seniors often have pre-existing medical problems, so when those are coupled with poisoning, the outcome can be fatal.

It is important to remember these Poisoning Risks for the Elderly….

• Never take medication in the dark
• Wear eyeglasses when reading labels
• Always store medication in the original containers, even over the counter medications, so you do not mix pills
• Store medications in one location to avoid mix-ups
• Never share medications with family and friends
• Discard all medications that you no longer take or are expired
• And if you have a poison emergency, call 9-1-1 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222  IMMEDATELY!

The Guilford County Preparedness Committee encourages everyone to practice their severe weather preparedness plans as part of North Carolina's Severe Weather Awareness Week, which will be observed February 28 - March 6, 2010. Please see the links below to be aware of safety during lightning, tornadoes, and high winds.

• Lightning Preparedness
• Tornado Preparedness
• High Wind Safety Tips

The safest place to be during high winds is indoors. Postpone outdoor activities if a wind advisory or high wind warning has been issued.

If you are caught outside during high winds:

• Take cover next to a building or under a shelter.
• Stand clear of roadways or train tracks, as a gust may blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
• Use handrails where available on outdoor walkways and avoid other elevated areas such as roofs without adequate railing.
• Watch for flying debris. Tree limbs may break; awnings and street signs may become loose during strong wind gusts.  Keep an eye toward nearby balconies for loose objects that may fall.

• Call for help. Report downed lines to your local utility emergency center and to the police. Do not try to free lines or to remove debris yourself.
• Avoid anything that may be touching downed lines, including vehicles or tree branches. Puddles and even wet or snow-covered ground can conduct electricity in some cases. Warn others to stay away.
• If you see someone who has been shocked who may be in direct or indirect contact with a power line, do not try to touch them. You may become a second victim. Get fire and medical attention as quickly as possible by calling 911.
• If a line falls on your car, stay inside the vehicle. Take care not to touch any of the metal frame of your vehicle.  Honk your horn, roll down the window and warn anyone who may approach of the danger. Call or have someone call 9-1-1. Do not exit the car until help arrives and advises you to do so, unless the vehicle is on fire. To exit, open the door, but do not step out. Jump, without touching any of the metal portions of the car's exterior, to safe ground and get quickly away.

• Keep both hands on the wheel and slow down.
• Watch for objects blowing across the roadway and into your path.
• Keep a safe distance from cars in adjacent lanes as strong gusts could push a car outside its lane of travel.
• Take extra care in a high-profile vehicle such as a truck, van, SUV, or when towing a trailer, as these are more prone to be pushed or even flipped by high wind gusts.
• If winds are severe enough to prevent safe driving, get onto the shoulder of the road and stop, making sure you are away from trees or other tall objects that could fall onto your vehicle. Stay in the car and turn on the hazard lights until the wind subsides.