Local Au Pairs Learn Poison Prevention

SAN RAMON, CA (April 16, 2015) — According to Safe Kids USA, for every 10 poison exposures in children, approximately nine occur in the home. These accidents are due, more often than not, to common household items that parents overlook when childproofing their home. In an effort to keep children safe this year, Cultural Care Au Pair will partner with Habitot Children’s Museum on April 16, 2015 to host a poisoning prevention meeting for local au pairs.

“Young children are especially at risk for poisonings because of their curiosity and their tendency to get into everything they shouldn’t,” said Local Childcare Consultant Nicole Biondi. “It’s important to parents that their childcare provider knows the proper safety procedures in case of a poisoning incident, so we teach our au pairs what household items could be toxic and what to do in the case of an emergency.”

The training is part of Cultural Care Au Pair’s ongoing Continuing Safety Education Program (CSEP), which requires local childcare consultants to review safety education with au pairs throughout their year-long stay in the United States. Au pairs also learn safety protocol during their 4-day stay at the Cultural Care Au Pair training school in New York before they arrive to their host families’ homes.

The San Ramon Valley au pairs together represent the countries of Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, China, Columbia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, and UK. Biondi, resident of San Ramon, supports local parents and au pairs, advising them of education opportunities, as well as organizing fun activities for the entire extended family to enjoy.

According to Toni Mikulka, Development and Marketing Manager for Habitot Children’s Museum, the training will focus on basic steps to prevent poisoning accidents. “Household cleaning agents, the medicine cabinet, cosmetics and other personal products, even poisonous plants, all provide a potential danger to children,” said Mikulka. The au pairs will also learn that:

• Each year, approximately 45 children age 4 and under die from unintentional exposure to medicines and household products. And millions of unintentional poisonings among children ages 5 and under occur each year.
• More than 90 percent of all poison exposures occur in homes.
• Children are at a significantly greater risk from unintentional poisoning death and exposure than adults because they are smaller, have faster metabolic rates, and are less able to physically handle toxic chemicals. Their natural curiosity and desire to put everything in their mouths further increases this risk.
• In general, children ages 5 and under are at greatest risk for nonfatal poisoning, accounting for the majority of poison exposures. Children ages 2 and under are especially vulnerable.
• Children can be poisoned by medicines, vitamins, household products, lead and carbon monoxide (CO).
• If they suspect a poisoning, they should call the Poison Control Help Line first!
• When dispensing over-the-counter medications to their children, only 30 percent of caregivers are able to accurately measure a correct dosage.

Biondi provides these safety tips for local families:

• Ensure that all medications and household products are locked out of sight and out of reach
• Always read labels, follow directions and give medicines to children according to their weights and ages
• Buy products in child-resistant packaging
• Discard expired medicine on a regular basis
• Never refer to medicine as “candy”
• Keep potentially poisonous plants out of reach
• Don’t guess – be sure! Call the California Poison Control and Help Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-222-1222

About Cultural Care Au Pair
Cultural Care Au Pair is the leading provider of intercultural live-in childcare. Since 1989, Cultural Care Au Pair has placed more than 95,000 au pairs in welcoming American homes. A division of EF Education and a U.S. Department of State regulated program, Cultural Care Au Pair is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., with an extensive network of recruitment, screening and orientation offices worldwide. For more information about hosting an au pair, visit www.nbiondi.aupairnews.com or call (925) 719-9767.

About Habitot Children’s Museum

Habitot Children’s Museum was founded in 1992 to meet the unique needs of infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Habitot’s mission is to help the broad community of parents and caregivers raise curious, creative and confident children with dedicated programs for children with special needs, teen parents, formerly incarcerated mothers, and homeless families. Hands-on exhibits and programs focus exclusively on early childhood, ages 0-5.

Since opening 15 years ago in 1998, Habitot has welcomed almost 1,000,000 visitors, filling a niche for new parents and caregivers who seek safe and enriching experiences for young children, with parenting support, a toy lending library, affordable music and art classes, immersive learning exhibits, and a drop-in Art Studio.

Habitot Children’s Museum has been recognized as the “best museum for families” by Bay Area Parent Magazine readers. In addition, Habitot’s founder, Gina Moreland, has been honored with a Bay Area “Jefferson Award”, and was the City of Berkeley’s “Early Childhood Champion of the Year.” In 2011, 2012 and 2013, Parents’ Press readers voted Habitot “Best of the East Bay,” and in 2013 Habitot received the GuideStar Exchange Silver participation level, a leading symbol of transparency and accountability provided by GuideStar USA, Inc., the premier source of nonprofit information. In 2010, 2011 and in 2012, Habitot was designated a “Top-Rated Non-profit” by GreatNonprofits, a leading provider of reviews and ratings of nonprofit organizations. See all awards: www.habitot.org/museum/about_awards.html

For more information, contact:

Nicole Biondi
Local Childcare Consultant, Cultural Care Au Pair
(925) 719-9767

nicole.biondi@lcc.culturalcare.com

www.nbiondi.aupairnews.com

Toni Mikulka

Development and Marketing Manager, Habitot Children’s Museum

(201) 937-1552

toni@habitot.org

www.habitot.org