OnStar, Poison Control to Prevent Car Fluid Poisoning
General Motors’ OnStar program now has an added feature for its five million plus subscribers: the ability for users to contact Poison Control in the event that children or pets consume motor oil or antifreeze stored for car maintenance.
The announcement was made as part of this week’s National Poison Prevention Week. OnStar claims that it gets on average one call per day from subscribers who have questions about poison.
Keeping antifreeze in your car is a must in case the engine overheats, but keeping it away from kids and pets is a must as well. Photo: socialneuroscience.wordpress.com
“Most drivers don’t anticipate that an accident may not happen on the road but rather in their backseat,” said Cathy McCormick, OnStar Emergency Services Manager. “This partnership was developed to give subscribers access to Poison Control to assist them with these types of situations.”
Poison Control says that children are the most likely victims of poisoning incidents in automobiles. While poisoning could occur from products found in grocery bags or a parent’s handbag, one item of particular concern is antifreeze because its sweet taste is appealing to children and animals.
Antifreeze and motor oil are often stored in cars for on-the-road, quick maintenance. Both can be recycled to avoid any environmental ramifications of disposal.
The OnStar Poison Control feature will come standard with a membership at no extra charge.
