More than half of the 2 million poison exposures reported in the United States each year involve children younger than 6, and that is why students from East Tennessee State University’s Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy will be visiting a local preschool twice next week to help educate kids on the dangers of everyday items found in many households.In recognition of National Poison Prevention Week, students from the Gatton College of Pharmacy will visit First United Methodist Church preschool in Elizabethton to teach students about poison awareness. Preschool students will participate in the “Quills Up – Stay Away” poison awareness program, where “Spike” the porcupine will help College of Pharmacy students provide valuable advice and direction.

Pharmacy students will visit the preschool Monday, March 22, and Thursday, March 25. Both sessions will last from 8:15-9:15 a.m. First United Methodist Church is located at 325 East “E” St.

The “Spike” program was created by the American Association of Poison Control Centers to illustrate the facts that most poisonings occur at home and most involve everyday household items such as medicines, cleaning supplies, cosmetics and personal care items. The preschoolers will learn from pharmacy students and “Spike” how to recognize potentially dangerous household items and to always ask an adult before tasting, eating or drinking anything.

Pharmacy students have also prepared information packets for parents that include tips on preventing poisonings at home, as well as refrigerator magnets with the number for the National Poison Control Center Hotline, (800) 222-1222.

“By educating parents and children on preventive measures to take against poisonings, our pharmacy students will help keep local families safe,” said Cheri Clavier, director of academic affairs and assessment for the College of Pharmacy and organizer of the event.

“It is very important that people arm themselves with basic knowledge on poison prevention in the home, and parents need to be especially aware of keeping chemicals and medicines out of the reach of children and carefully reading the labels and dosages on all products.”

The event is sponsored by the College of Pharmacy’s student organizations, the American Pharmacists Association and the Student Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists.

For more information, call Clavier at (423) 439-6334.

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