Be prepared.
Save your poison center's number: 1-800-222-1222 (US only).
Save the webPOISONCONTROL online tool as a browser favorite.
Install a carbon monoxide alarm in every sleeping area of your home.
Store medicines and products in their original containers.
Use child-resistant packaging. Replace caps securely.
Store household products in a different place from food and medicine.
Use medicines safely.
Read the label before taking or giving medicine – every time. Follow instructions exactly.
Ask your child's pediatrician before giving any herbal medicine or supplement.
Monitor children closely when you allow them to take their own medicines.
Discuss inhalant abuse when you discuss drug and alcohol abuse.
Aerosol cans, air fresheners, gasoline, glue, hairspray, nitrous oxide, paint thinners, and spray paint can kill or cause permanent damage if abused.
Baby-sitting? Check out the poison prevention tips for the ages of the children you are watching.
Mold releases spores that germinate in moisture, warmth, and food. On food, the spores look like colorful fuzz. Drinks may have a bad smell, taste flat, or appear cloudy. Gastrointestinal symptoms, respiratory problems and allergic reactions can occur after ingesting moldy food or drink. Some molds produce poisonous mycotoxins. It is best to avoid foods after their “use by” date.
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Poison Prevention Week was established in 1961 to promote public awareness about how to prevent and respond to poison incidents. You can prevent most unintentional poisonings, but when you need it, expert help is just a click or call away.
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Campylobacter is 1 of the most common causes of bacterial diarrhea. The illness is campylobacteriosis. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and pain. Campylobacter is found on raw vegetables, dairy products, poultry, and meat. It is also in the stool of contaminated people and animals. Treatment is mostly supportive; stay hydrated.
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Adderall is a combination of 2 central nervous stimulants: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Its main use is the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In overdose, it can cause serious central nervous system and cardiovascular effects.
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Poison ivy can cause a rash if someone touches it, which is caused by oils in the plant. The rash can be severe enough to blister and itch for days or weeks. Most cases can be managed at home. Severe cases require medical attention. If these plants are burned, inhaling the smoke can cause severe breathing problems.
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Ethyl chloride is a local anesthetic agent that relieves pain by cooling the skin surface. Ethyl chloride abuse, which occurs when individuals intentionally inhale its vapors, can result in sleepiness, abnormal heart rhythms, and death. Ethyl chloride is flammable and can cause frostbite if used incorrectly.
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Cetirizine (brand name Zyrtec) is an FDA-approved, over-the-counter medication used to help relieve allergy symptoms. It is relatively well-tolerated but is associated with side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, and dry mouth. Because of this, use of cetirizine with alcohol and other sedating medications should be avoided.
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Household bleach is used for cleaning and disinfecting and can also be used in “bleach baths” as a medical treatment for atopic dermatitis. Swallowing, inhaling, or injecting bleach can cause serious medical problems.
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Blastomycosis is a rare fungal infection that can affect children, adults, and animals. Blastomycosis is caused by exposure to Blastomyces, a fungal species that lives in soil, decaying leaves, and wooded areas. Symptoms of blastomycosis include coughing, fevers, and fatigue. Treatment involves oral or intravenous antifungal medications.
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Aspirin is an over-the-counter medication used as an anti-inflammatory agent and for pain or fever relief. Low dose aspirin is used to prevent heart attacks and strokes in people with existing heart disease, and sometimes in pregnancy to prevent preeclampsia. Normal side effects include stomach upset and indigestion. Aspirin overdose can be life-threatening.
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