The Clarington/Courticc Independent, Bowmanvillc, Saturday, December 26, 1998 Page 13 Advice from the Poison Information Centre at Sick Kids Accidents in the home arc most likely to happen when routines arc disrupted and adults distracted - and that makes the upcoming holiday season a time to take extra safety precautions, precautions, say staff of The Hospital for Sick Children. It takes only a few minutes minutes for an unsupervised child to get into mischief. A parent or sitter may be distracted distracted when talking on the telephone or seeing friends at the door. Visitors' purses may hold many dangerous medications. Last year the Ontario Regional Poison Control Centre (PIC) located at The Hospital for Sick Children received 4,167 calls between December I, 1997 and January 31, 1998 related related to possible poisoning of children under the age of 5 years. Of these calls, 1,921 were related to over-the- counter medications and prescription drugs. The top 10 calls to the Poison Centre were related to accidental exposures to: 1. Analgesics Acetaminophen, Ibuprofcn, Aspirin 2. Household cleaning products - bleaches, laundry detergent, dishwasher detergents, detergents, carpet cleaners 3. Cosmetics and personal personal care products - perfume, perfume, bath oils, creams, nail polish and nail polish removers 4. Cough and cold products products 5. Plants 6. Foreign bodies swallowed swallowed (Christmas ornaments, ornaments, toys, coins) 7. Vitamins 8. Topical products - diaper diaper care products, steroid creams, camphor products 9. Hormones - birth con- e new Volkswagen Jetta Jetta GL Welcome to a far far better life. Introducing the all new, completely redesigned Volkswagen Jetta, now Vijilh over 40 standard features. It doesn't get any better than that. TDI and Gas Models Available ©1998 Volkswagen. 1 -800-DRIVE VW or www.vw.com Drivers wanted" OWASCO VOLKSWAGEN INC. ©J.P. 1425 Dundas St. East, Whitby An "I CARE" and CAA award winner since 1972. Sales, service, leasing, body shop, all makes. Rentals in Canada, USA and Europe. (905) 686-6410 1-800-263-2676 TOP DOLLAR FOR YOUR TRADE! www.owasco-canada.com 31 TBY HVN Y 2 8 owaS) V 1 35 MINUTES EAST FROM TORONTO Wishing you and your loved ones a holiday season filled with delights. We know it's been a real delight serving you this past year. Thanks! OFFICE HOURS December 24, 1998 December 25, 1998 December 28, 1998 December 29, 1998 December 30, 1998 December 31, 1998 January 1, 1999 8 a.m. - 12 noon closed closed 8:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m. 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 8 a.m. -12 noon closed In case of Emergency please call 623-4452 Clarington Hydro Electric Commission 623-4451 Irol pills, estrogen pills, thyroid thyroid pills 10. Arts and crafts supplies supplies - pens, ink, water colours, correction fluid Emergency Department and Poison Information Centre staff offer the following following safety advice to parents parents and anyone expecting young visitors over the holidays. holidays. Decorations • Keep all Christmas lights and electrical cords out of reach. Each year, doctors at Sick Kids sec children who have suffered electrical burns from touching touching bulbs or putting them into their mouths. Others have bitten electrical cords and required plastic surgery. There's also the risk of cuts when bulbs are broken or bitten. • Don't decorate the bottom few branches of a Christmas tree. Young children arc attracted to shiny, colourful things; they will chew or swallow Christmas decorations, lights and tinsel. • Don't display heirloom heirloom decorations around young children. Many older ornaments arc decorated decorated with lead-based paint. If the decorations are in good shape, they can be hung out of reach; if the paint is flaking, put them away. Children might cat the Hakes of lead paint that fall to the ground. • Keep Christmas tree fertilizer (plant food) out of the reach of young children. • Aerosol snow spray products arc not poisonous when dry, but they may cause respiratory irritation. • Coloured glitter that gives colour to fireplace flames may contain heavy metals such as copper, lead and arsenic which are all poisonous. • Cover all exposed electrical outlets with toddler-proof toddler-proof protectors. Otherwise, children may try to stick tinsel and other decorations decorations into the outlets - and could receive nasty electrical shocks. • Don't leave burning candles on tablecloths or decorative fabric. A toddler toddler might pull on the cloth and topple the candles; this could cause a burn or start a fire. ■ • Keep holiday plants out of reach; better yet, buy artificial ones. Mistletoe and holly arc poisonous poisonous and can cause stomach stomach upset. If a child eats several berries, call the Hospital's Poison Centre at (416) 813-5900. Poinsettias, contrary to popular popular belief, are not highly poisonous. • Ensure artificial tree parts are secure. Although they arc non-toxic, tree parts can cause intestinal blockages if swallowed. • Check all table decorations decorations for size and construction. construction. Nativity scenes and other theme decorations arc often displayed around the house. Make sure the pieces are too large for a child to swallow and that decorations cannot be pulled apart into small pieces. Food and Drink • Watch the holiday foods that you serve to a child. Don't put candies and nuts on display; they can cause a child to choke. So can hot dogs and sausages, raw carrots, foil- wrapped chocolate balls, grapes, shrimp, popcorn, square chunks of cheese and candied fruit. • Always clear away unfinished drinks and ashtrays after entertaining. entertaining. Although it's tempting to crawl into bed after a night with company, clean up. Curious toddlers may get up early and will finish the party leftovers, including including cigarette butts and alcoholic alcoholic drinks. Even one ounce of alcohol can have serious consequences; it lowers blood sugar which can lead to convulsions in children. Visiting • When visiting or entertaining, use a playpen. Holiday festivities can be chaotic. When adults arc busy socializing or preparing food, it's difficult to supervise a child's activities. activities. • Keep visitors' purses and bags out of reach. Little fingers will explore and a child may swallow any medications or cosmetics cosmetics found. • Don't leave antifreeze or lock de-icer within reach of small hands. When travelling over the holidays, these items are often left in the hack of the ear or in the house or garage. If consumed, a very small amount of antifreeze can kill a child. If you believe a child has injcslcd either product, call the Poison Centre immediately at (416) 813-5900. Great Christmas Recipe Mix love, friendship and laughter for die sweetest holiday season ever. Thanks for coming by! Merry Motoring! Hope you have the best Christmas (V on wheels! v / / from the staff of Eastman's Service and Sleeve's Auto Supply 216 King St. East 987-4033 Newcastle Peace Be With You The richness and radiance of this season of cheer will be forever close to our hearts. Thank you to the following clients for your kind and friendly local support this past year. 1 As You Were Bake Shop - Mary Marquis 1 Baby Becoming - Brenda Scanlon 1 Bowmanvillc Clinic Pharmacy 1 Bowmanvillc Professional Building Ltd. 1 Canamatlc Mould Ltd. 1 Cowan Pontiac 1 Downtown Bowmanvillc Business Improvement Association 1 Durham Veterinarian Clinic - Dr. Everett Turner • Harrison Fuels • James Publishing • Knox Christian School • King Street Bar & Grill • Morris Funeral Chapel • Mr. Ted Watson • Skylight Donuts • The Durham District School Board • Van Dyk Real Estate $y iÊm From the Staff and Management of J.R. FREETHY ARCHITECT 5 Sliver Street, Bowmanville, Ontario Tel: 623-7476 frootliy@Yoslc.com ©J.P.