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Dangerous Situations

Photo by KELVIN MA/staff

Third-graders from Bayshore Christian get a good look at a look-alike of a diamondback snake during More Health's Poison Patrol prevention class at Tampa General Hospital's rehab center on Sept. 17, 2007

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 22, 2007

Updated: 09/20/2007 06:22 pm

Additional Photos

DAVIS ISLANDS - The Chilean rose-haired tarantula's venom liquefies its prey's insides, allowing the spider to consume its catch by drinking it down.

'This guy will walk away with a full belly of mouse milkshake,' said Jeff Ewelt, Lowry Park Zoo animal ambassador. He held up the spider, which spanned the palm of his hand, for Bayshore Christian School third- and fourth-graders attending MORE HEALTH's Poison Prevention Day at Tampa General Hospital.

'I like the centipede the best because it looks like it has two heads,' said third-grader Kaitlyn Roberts, 8.

MORE HEALTH, a health-education initiative started by the Junior League of Tampa in 1989, was taken over by Tampa General in 1992 and turned into a nonprofit offering free, interactive health lessons in Hillsborough and Pinellas county schools. Last year, it served more than 200,000 students.

The 24 lessons range from bike and seat belt safety to childhood obesity and HIV/AIDS awareness.

'It's all about empowering kids to make good decisions for themselves,' said Executive Director Karen Pesce, who was named the 2007 Health Educator of the Year by the National Association of Health Education Centers.

Of the 82,502 calls to the Florida Poison Information Center at Tampa General last year, about 25 percent were in reference to children 5 and younger, the highest risk category for exposure, center director Cynthia Lewis-Younger said.

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin and acetaminophen are the more common sources of poisoning among children, Lewis-Younger said. Look-alike containers, such as those for Parmesan cheese and powder cleaners, can confuse youngsters as well.

On Monday, the venomous creatures got the rapt attention of the students. Although non-native to Florida, creatures such as the Chilean rose-haired, the camel spider and the marine toad live contentedly in the mild climate. They can arrive on cruise ships and containers of imported fruit.

Organizers hope the message sinks in. As new members of the Poison Patrol, the students can help protect younger siblings.

'A lot of these things live here when they're not supposed to, that's why you need to be careful when out playing your back yard,' Ewelt said.

MORE HEALTH

For information on MORE HEALTH, call (813) 258-6366 or go to www.morehealthinc.org.

TIPS ON STAYING SAFE

• Don't store pesticides or chemicals in containers such as soda bottles.

• Keep medications secured from children and teenagers.

• Post the Florida Poison Information Center telephone number, 1-800-222-1222, by the phone and call it before using home remedies.

• Get the correct advice before administering first aid.

Source: Cynthia Lewis-Younger, Florida Poison Information Center director

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 835-2114 or jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com.

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