Promote your business by advertising at Shopping in Westchester, NY. Find the best Shopping in Westchester County; including outlets, department stores, discount clothing stores, women's and men's clothing stores and more great places to shop.
The Hudson Valley Poison Education Center @ Phelps Memorial Hospital Center is located at 701 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, New York 10591-1096. The following Poison Fact Sheet lists just some of the information available at The Hudson Valley Poison Education Center website. Press blue button for more information.
Poison Prevention Reminders:
Remember to read all labels carefully. Turn the lights on when looking for medication. Call medicines by their proper names; don’t call them “candy”. Discard old, unused medicines. Always keep medications and other products in their original, labeled containers. Avoid leaving children alone when potentially harmful substances are around. Avoid keeping edibles and non-edibles on the same shelf. Know the names of your household plants in case of an accidental ingestion.
Frequency of Poison Exposures
There are an estimated 5 million poison exposures per year in the United States. Thousands of these poisonings are fatal. Over half of all poisonings involve children under the age of 6. New York State alone handled about 170,000 poison exposure cases in 2000.
Forms of Poisons
Poisons may be solids, liquids or gases. There are several routes that a person can be exposed to a toxin. Poisons may be ingested, inhaled, injected or may come into direct contact with the skin or eyes. Poisons may also be introduced by an animal bite or sting. Overall, the most common poison is medication. For children, cleaning substances are the most common poison.
Children are frequently exposed to poisons during times of family stress when they may be unattended. Examples include:
During family arguments Moving Immediately after the death of a relative
“Look-alike” packaging or products often confuse both children and adults. There are more than 250,000 potentially poisonous drugs and commercial products.
Poison Control Center Information
Poison Control Centers are available across the country for information on poisons and possible exposures. Poison Control Centers have professionals who are specifically trained in the prevention and treatment of poisons. All calls to Poison Control Centers are FREE. You can reach a Poison Center specialist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. One nationwide phone number puts you in contact with your nearest Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222.
Emergency Management Programs One of the most significant hazards for Westchester County is severe weather. Hazards include the possibility of hurricanes, tropical storms, winter storms, tornados or other high wind hazards. OEM offers periodic severe weather training symposia to school and civil authorities, emergency responders, hospital administrators and to other interested parties.
Weather: Preparedness, Warning, Response and Recovery
OEM collaborates with the National Weather Service, SKYWARN volunteers, Consolidated Edison, New York State Electric & Gas, SEMO and the news media in tracking the approach of potentially dangerous storms, and in giving timely warning to local governments and to the people of Westchester.
OEM coordinates response and recovery activities that exceed the capabilities of local government(s), as well as assistance activities which might come as the result of a Presidential Disaster Declaration.
Radiological Emergency Preparedness The presence of nuclear power generating plants at Indian Point, of radio-active materials in industry and in medicine, and in transit through and over Westchester County, as well as the possibility of the use of nuclear weapons or radioactive materials in war or in terrorist incidents, demands radiological emergency preparedness.
The lead agency for the planning and coordination of radiological emergency preparedness and response is the Office of Emergency Management. The Indian Point Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Plan and Procedures for Westchester County, while maintained and coordinated by OEM, involves the participation of nearly every department of county government, as well as of thousands of potential emergency responders. Most of the resources and expertise developed to deal with an emergency at Indian Point could be readily applied to response to most other major emergencies.
The Indian Point REP Plan is exercised annually and evaluated alternately by FEMA or by SEMO. Radiological Emergency Preparedness training is offered, through OEM, to all potential emergency responders.
Emergency Communications Communications are essential to proper command and control in an emergency. The Office of Emergency Management can provide emergency communications support through the Westchester County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), through dispatch of the county field communications unit to support emergency responders, and/or through the activation of civil defense volunteer radio operators. OEM maintains liaison with the Westchester Emergency Communications Association (WECA) and with others who support emergency preparedness.
The Westchester County Police Bomb Squad is one of only 13 bomb squads in the State of New York and is accredited by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Comprised of highly skilled and exceptionally trained technicians, the members of this unit respond to calls for service that include:
Possible improvised explosive devices Bomb threats Military ordinance Volatile chemicals Deteriorated explosives Dangerous fireworks
The Bomb Squad utilizes specialized equipment to approach, inspect, disarm and/or remove all types of explosive devices. Bomb Squad members are adept at examining explosive devices in order to identify persons responsible for the devices’ manufacture. Follow-up investigations are an integral part of the Bomb Squad function.
Press blue button for more information about the Westchester County Police Bomb Squad.
Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services such as water, gas, electricity or telephones were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away. Therefore, the best way to make your family and your home safer is to be prepared before disaster strikes. Blackouts Chemical Emergencies Drought Earthquakes Fires Floods Heat Waves Hurricanes Mudslides Terrorism Thunderstorms Tornado Tsunami Volcanoes Wild Fires Winter Storms Press blue button for Disaster Services.
Emergency Plan There are six basics you should stock for your home: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies, and special items. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to carry container. Possible containers include a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack, or a duffle bag. Source: The American National Red Cross. Press blue button for Disaster Supplies Kit.
Symptoms of Pesticide Poisoning You should be aware of the early signs and symptoms of poisoning. It is important to remove the person from the source of exposure quickly. Remove contaminated clothing and wash off any chemical which has soaked through. You may save a life. Press blue button for important information on Pesticide Poisoning Symptoms and First Aid.
Advertise Your Business Here
