CDC Press Release and Dec. 14 Twitter Chat - New Program Protects Children from Accidental Overdoses

Many young children overdosing from medicines at home New educational program reminds parents to keep medication “Up and Away and Out of Sight” Each year, one of every 150 two-year-olds visits an emergency department for an unintentional medication overdose, most often after finding and eating or drinking medicines without adult supervision.  To inform parents and caregivers about safe medication storage and what to do in case of an emergency, CDC, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association Education Foundation  (CHPA Educational Foundation) and a coalition of partners are launching an educational program, Up and Away and Out of Sight, encouraging parents to follow a few simple steps to protect children.


“Parents may not be aware of the danger posed by leaving medications where young children can reach them. In recent years, the number of accidental overdoses in young children has increased by 20 percent,” said Dan Budnitz, M.D., M.P.H., director of CDC’s Medication Safety Program (CDC - Medication Safety Program). “A few simple steps – done every time – can protect our children.”

Read more about today’s announcement and what parents and caregivers can do to protect children: http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2011/p1213_Medicine_overdose.html
Please join CDC and partners during a live Twitter chat on Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 1-2 p.m. Eastern Time.  Medication safety experts will answer questions about the Up and Away and Out of Sight program and keeping children safe from unintentional medication overdoses.  Follow CDC’s updates on Twitter, and join the chat by using the hashtag #MedsUpAway.
For more information on the Up and Away and Out of Sight educational program, visit http://www.upandaway.org/ or in Spanish www.UpAndAway.org/es.   
For more information about what CDC is doing to protect children from adverse drug events, visit www.cdc.gov/medicationsafety.