National Poison Prevention Week runs until Saturday. Kent County’s Department of Public Works along with the Kent County Health Department are encouraging the community to safely dispose of items that could pose a danger.
Residents in Kent County are being encouraged to properly and safely dispose of unused, potentially poisonous medicines, chemicals and used needles through various “SafeHomes” programs. The programs include, SafeMeds, SafeChem and SafeSharps.
The Kent County Department of Public Works and the Kent County Health Department wants residents to safely dispose of hazardous products during “National Poison Prevention Week.” Here’s Kristen Weiland, Communications and Marketing Manager for the Department of Public Works.
“This week is recognition of safe storage and safe disposal of things that are in everybody’s home that could be hazardous if they get into the wrong hands. This could include chemicals or medications. We want everyone to know that Kent County has programs to discard of these items safely.”
Every year, America’s 55 poison centers receive millions of calls and the majority are about people coming into contact with dangerous substances. This is according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers. The SafeHomes programs allows residents to safety get rid of poisonous or hazardous materials
“Anything that’s toxic. So it could be anything under your sink like a cleaner. To a child, a cleaner could look like juice.”
There are drop off locations for chemicals, medicine and used needles. Just go to www.MIsafehomes.org for detailed information.
