A project to reduce accidental pediatric poisonings in North Carolina.

An education program was implemented to increase public awareness of the potential hazards of household chemicals and to reduce the incidence of pediatric poisonings in North Carolina. Data from the Carolinas Poison Center (CPC) were analyzed to determine the success of the program. The ratios of informational calls, exposure calls and total calls were evaluated using log transformations, ANOVA and Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Based upon the statistical analysis, the project successfully increased public awareness of the CPC and thus of potential hazards. It did not significantly reduce the incidence of serious poisonings, but appeared to reduce overall pediatric poisonings in the public who were aware of the CPC.