It’s National Poison Prevention Week. Illinois Poison Center Medical Director Michael Wahl says if your child has gotten into something potentially harmful, the first steps are to not panic and call the poison control hotline at 800-222-1222.  It’s free and is staffed by nurses and pharmacists.  For children, he says, they are able to keep 95 percent at home with simple first aid instructions and out of the ER.

Wahl, appearing on the WTAX Morning Newswatch, says some of the most common calls are related to pain medications like Tylenol and Motrin as well as cleaning products, cosmetics and dietary supplements/vitamins.  Wahl recommends keeping harmful items out of reach and out of site to protect children. The poison control hotline is also available to adults with workplace exposures and at-home situations such as medication mix-ups.