Lawrence, thanks to Dr. Vernon Branson, got into the poison control business long, long ago.

There have been a number of recent national movements to re-emphasize the need for poison control in homes. They provide a reminder of how a Lawrence pediatrician some 50 years ago was a pioneer in raising awareness, prevention and treatment of poisonings of youngsters.

There is no telling how many have benefited from his work.

He is Dr. Vernon Branson, still living here in retirement. Branson started things moving at a time when there were no computer networks and telephone contact was about the best way to work on the problem. He made sure a well-equipped poison control center was set up at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and then tied it in with the resources at such sites as the Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City.

The Lawrence doctor led efforts to get emergency personnel tutored in the ways to deal with poisoning cases, for both adults and children. He also headed up efforts to publicize the facilities and push educational programs. Lawrence’s record in this field was outstanding, and has remained that way.

Nowadays, of course, computers and other electronic gadgetry greatly simplify the poison control issue and sometimes action can be nearly instantaneous. But there was a time when the challenge was not so simple. Vernon Branson did much to get the local community moving in the right direction.

But despite all the modernization in medicine, there still are basics that people should keep in mind to prevent poison problems, particularly for children. While techniques have changed, fundamentals of the poisoning problem have remained the same. Thus it is important to keep in mind some basic precautions outlined in a recent article by Beth Cooney of the Stamford, Conn., Advocate. People should keep all household poisons and medicines in their original, labeled containers and out of the reach and sight of children. Nonprescription medicines can be as dangerous as prescription medicines and should never be represented to children as “candy.”

Never leave children alone with household products or medications. Most poisonings occur when a product is in use. Know the names of the plants in and around your home and which ones may pose a danger. Take the time to teach children about poisonous substances, and keep the number of the poison control center on or near your telephone.

Those are the same principles that Vernon Branson and the local medical health people began stressing in the middle 1950s. They merit credit for the problems they have helped to solve and the tragedies they doubtless have prevented for such a long, rewarding time.