Public Safety Director's Spotlight - 2015 Poison Prevention Month

 

National Poison Prevention Month

National Poison Prevention Month will be observed from March 1 through March 31, 2015.  Each year, U.S. Poison Centers receive more than four million poisoning exposures calls.  Of those calls, almost half involve children five years of age and under, but the most serious cases involve an adult.  Nine out of 10 poisoning deaths are caused by drugs/medications.  There are steps you can take to prevent accidental poisonings:

* Read and follow the directions and warnings on the label before taking any medicine.

* Turn lights on to take medicines so that you can be sure of what you're taking.

* Get rid of old and outdated medicines as soon as you don't need them any more.

* Keep potential poisons in their original containers.

* Never mix household chemical products together.

* Turn on fans and open windows when using household chemical products.

* Don't sniff chemical containers if you don't know what is inside.

* Teach your children about what things are dangerous and what are not.  Sometimes poisons can be colorful or have interesting designs on the packaging

If you think someone has been poisoned, don't panic.  Most poisonings can be taken care of at home with the help of the poison center experts.  Keep the Poison Help number – 1-800-222-1222 on or near home phones and programmed into cell phones.  Every day people can and do prevent poisonings.  I encourage you to learn more about how you can poison-proof your home.

Upcoming Events

Feb. 23 – March 1 – Stadium District Restaurant Week, Ballpark Village, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Now through Sunday enjoy lunch or dinner in exciting Downtown St. Louis for Stadium District Restaurant Week.  Simply visit any of the participating restaurants for exclusively priced, unique menus and gift card rewards for future meals. Visit the stlballparkvillage.com web site for more information.

Feb. 26 – March 1 – Builders Home and Garden Show, America's Center, 10 a.m.

Make plans now to stop by the Builders Home and Garden Show that's taking place at America's Center, 701 Convention Plaza in exciting Downtown St. Louis, now through Sunday.  The event showcases the latest in Lawn & Garden, Kitchen & Bath, Interior Design, Pool & Spas and Building Projects.  For all the details, visit the stlhomeshow.com web site.

Feb. 27 – Fish Fry Friday

A number of churches and organizations are holding Fish Fries on the Fridays during Lent.  This week I want to spotlight two of them:

Loyola Academy, 3851 Washington Boulevard, 4 to 8 p.m. – The $9 dinner special includes two fillets of fish or shrimp, two sides, bread, dessert and a drink.  For more information, visit their web site at loyolaacademy.org.

St. Patrick Center, 800 North Tucker Boulevard, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Visit McMurphy's Café at St. Patrick Center on the Fridays in Lent for fish and chips for just $5.50.  Diners will also have a selection of different side items ala carte each week.  For more information, call (314) 802-1968.

Feb. 28 – Black History Month poetry event, Regional Arts Commission, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.

Celebrate Black History Month with poetry, song, and dance at the iScribe Poetry for MY ROOTS event this Saturday at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Boulevard in the Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood.  Price is $5 to $7.  Students and those wearing a green, red, or yellow shirt, $5.  Twenty-five percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Katara Scholarship Foundation.  For more information, email info@spokenmoments.com.

Feb. 28 – American Heart Association Heart Ball, Chase Park Plaza, 6 p.m. to Midnight

The American Heart Association's 2015 St. Louis Heart Ball will take place this Saturday from 6 p.m. to Midnight at the Chase Park Plaza, 212 North Kingshighway Boulevard in the trendy Central West End neighborhood.  The Ball will celebrate the work of the association, its donors and volunteers, and the lives saved and improved because of everyone's efforts.  For more information, call (314) 692-5617.

Feb. 28 – McKinley Band Boosters Trivia Night, Mt. Tabor UCC, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.

The McKinley Band Boosters Trivia Night will take place this Friday at Mt. Tabor UCC, 6520 Arsenal Street in the Lindenwood Park neighborhood.  Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and play will begin at 6:30 p.m.  The cost is $25 per person or $160 for a table of eight.  The price includes 10 rounds of trivia, beer, soda, water, popcorn and pretzels.  All monies received will benefit the McKinley CLA Band program.  McKinley CLA is a St. Louis Public School.  To reserve your spot, email carajensen@sbcglobal.net.

March 1 – Off White Indie Wedding Show, The Luminary, 11 a.m.

The Off White Indie Wedding Show at The Luminary this Sunday is an alternative to the traditional, big-box wedding shows.  Here you will find green wedding planning, small businesses, unique details, equality, and a low-stress and inspiration-filled way to plan your wedding.  The show will feature vendors to serve all aspects of the wedding event – from planning to organic caterers to custom designed wedding gowns and vintage suits, all with an emphasis on handmade, eco-friendly, LGBT-friendly and truly personal services.  General admission is $10 and will include passed Hors d'oeuvre, gift bags (for couples only), cake samples, photos in the photo booth and more.  The Luminary is located at 2701 Cherokee Street in the Benton Park West neighborhood.  For more information, email info@theluminaryarts.com.

Save the Date

March 4 – 8 – 2015 Progressive Insurance^® St. Louis Boat and Sportshow^®, America's Center, opening times each day vary

March 5 – 8 – 2015 Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament, Scottrade Center, various times

March 6 – First Friday, Grand Center, 5 to 9 p.m.

March 7 – Free Landlord Training, Missouri Botanical Garden, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

March 7 – Community Education Workshop, The Carriage House, 10 to 11 a.m.

March 7 – Trailnet's Beans, Bikes & Brews Kick-off Party, T-REX, 6 to 9 p.m.

March 7 – Senior Home Repair Services Workshop, SDCC Office, 10 a.m.

March 7 – The Rosenball, German Cultural Society of St. Louis, 6 p.m.

March 7 – Peregrine Society 7^th Annual Trivia Night, Electrical Workers Hall, 6:15 to 10 p.m.

March 7 & 8 – "Marshall the Miracle Dog" Movie Premiere, Wehrenberg Movie Theatres, various times/locations

Promoting Your Neighborhood Activities

Is there a neighborhood event on the schedule that you would like noted in the Spotlight?  If so, you may email the information about it to me at GrayR@stlouis-mo.gov or to Cathy Smentkowski at smentkowskic@stlouis-mo.gov for consideration.  You may also post it on the City's Calendar of Events on the City's web site:  http://stlouis-mo.gov.  The link to submit an event is at the very bottom of the home page.  The listing is free.  I encourage you to take advantage of this free way to promote your event.

Summer Camps Enrolling Now

Registration is now open for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis Summer Camp at a choice of locations. The summer camp offers youth, ages 6-15, a fun and dynamic experience that will spark creativity, engagement, and exploration through an individualized, structured learning experience mixed with tons of fun!  City locations include:

Adams Park Club – (6/8 –7/31)

(314) 335-8200

4317 Vista Avenue

Herbert Hoover Club – (6/8 –7/31)

(314) 335-8000

2901 N. Grand

O'Fallon Park Club - (6/8 –7/31)

(314) 932-1371

4343 West Florissant

For more information or to register, visit www.bgcstl.org.Call to reserve your spot today.

 

Col. Richard Gray

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis